 "Ange Postecoglou believes there's someone in the club who is leaking crucial details. Image: Reuters")
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has publicly voiced his frustration over what he calls a persistent leak of internal information, particularly injury news and team selections. The Australian believes that someone inside the club is leaking crucial information before games, undermining his efforts.
In a tense press conference following Spurs’ 1-1 Europa League quarterfinal first-leg draw against Eintracht Frankfurt, Postecoglou confirmed that there is a mole inside the North London club.
What is the Tottenham leak controversy all about?
The controversy surrounds repeated leaks of team news, most notably injury updates, appearing on social media well before they are officially confirmed. Most recently, the absence of Wilson Odobert from Tottenham’s starting XI was circulated online hours before the team sheet for the Europa League tie was published.
Odobert, reportedly dealing with a hamstring issue, was eventually named on the bench but didn’t play. This isn’t an isolated incident. Postecoglou revealed the issue dates back to last season and has continued despite attempts to shut it down.
What did Ange Postecoglou say?
Postecoglou didn’t hold back in his criticism of the leaker and the impact it’s having on his job. He confirmed that the club has narrowed down the source and that internal steps are being taken.
“There is no doubt we’ve got a leak inside the club. Someone continues to leak out information and they have all year. I don’t know why, it just makes our job even more difficult. You don’t want to give the opposition a helping hand," he said.
“We’ve narrowed it down. I’ve got a fair idea where it’s coming from. We’ll deal with it. It’s definitely not agents. The language used in the leaks is not how agents speak. And it’s not the players either.”
“Sometimes players don’t want their medical information disclosed, it’s as simple as that. The fact that it is getting out is unacceptable. It doesn’t help the team, and it certainly doesn’t help the individuals," Postecoglou added.
Ange turns detective
In a lighter moment amid the serious accusations, Postecoglou quipped that he had gone into “Jack Reacher” mode, referencing the fictional action hero known for his investigative skills, to trace the source of the leak.
“There’s always a bit of detective work in football management. I think it’s a cultural thing. I’m big on creating a culture of success and I don’t think successful organisations behave in that manner.”
What happens next?
Postecoglou insists the matter will be handled internally, but the issue has added to the growing pressure on the 59-year-old coach.
“We’ll deal with it. Like you deal with anything. You do the right thing and handle it,” he concluded.
Tottenham are currently 14th in the Premier League table, enduring a difficult second season under Postecoglou. The second leg of their Europa League quarterfinal is scheduled to take place on 18 April. It is their last hope of winning a trophy this season.