He’s my manager, he’s my gaffer, Maddison stated in a press conference amidst their spurs clash with bodoe in Europa semi finals.
He’s my manager, he’s my gaffer, Maddison stated in a press conference amidst their spurs clash with bodoe in Europa semi finals.
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder James Maddison has thrown his full support behind manager Ange Postecoglou amid increasing pressure on the Australian following a disappointing Premier League campaign.
Spurs currently sit 16th in the league table after a run of poor domestic performances, casting a shadow over what has otherwise been a strong European run. The North London club is preparing to host Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt on Thursday in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final, aiming to reach their first European final since losing to Liverpool in the 2019 Champions League.
Despite the growing speculation surrounding Postecoglou’s future, Maddison insists the dressing room remains fully behind the manager.
“We are behind the manager 100%,” said the 28-year-old. “I think he’s a great man. We have had a poor season, especially in the league. We’ve been very good in Europe, but the league season has been unacceptable.”
He continued: “He’s my manager, he’s my gaffer and I respect him an awful amount. The narrative [of Postecoglou’s job being under threat] is something we players are trying to keep away from because it’s not healthy.”
Maddison acknowledged the poor league form but urged critics to recognize the club’s progress in Europe. Spurs are just two matches away from their first European trophy since 1984, and Maddison believes the squad is determined to make the most of the opportunity.
“I come into work every day and see the lads listening and taking on the messages on how he wants us to play,” he said. “We are in a real good position in Europe, where we can still have a special season under his management. I will continue to do that until the day he isn’t here.”
Tottenham will be without captain Son Heung-min for the first leg due to a foot injury, but Maddison believes the team has enough depth and motivation to overcome the setback.
“It’s huge,” he said. “When you get to the end of your career and you look back, there’s not many times a player has been in European semi-finals. Maybe once or twice if you are lucky.”
Maddison emphasized the significance of the occasion and the chance to rewrite the narrative of a season that has largely been defined by domestic disappointment.
“We need to use that,” he added. “We are in the final four in a massive competition in Europe and use that to have a great tie on Thursday and in Bodo as well. We’ve got a real special opportunity. There’s obviously been a lot of talk about form and being a poor season, but we have the opportunity to do something very special. We’ve earned it and we deserve to be here. It is a challenge we are going to relish.”
Tottenham will hope a strong performance at home can set the tone for the return leg in Norway, as they aim to end a 17-year trophy drought and restore.
