Ange Postecoglou has flamed the European Super League‘s backers by describing them as “detached from the real world”.
The Tottenham Hotspur manager remained unimpressed by the controversial breakaway league proposal that initially crashed and burned in 2021.
The plan popped up again after the European Court of Justice ruled on Thursday that its banning at the time had been unlawful.
Spurs were among other Premier League clubs who made it clear they were no long interested, having hastily backtracked two years ago in the face of a furious supporter backlash.
Postecoglou was managing in Japan with Yokohama at the time but made it clear that he would always be on the side of the supporter.
“I love the fact that it’s power to the people, mate,” said Postecoglou, who was managing in Japan with Yokohama when the ESL was initially proposed. “It’s good that people still have a voice. That’s what life is all about.
He added: “I often think these decisions are made in a room with some people who are fairly detached from what the real footballing world is about. They think it’s a great idea and then they walk outside that room and they’re faced with reality.
“The one thing that whole period showed us was that without fans you’re struggling for anything. It’s kind of a throwaway term that ‘without the fans, football is nothing’ but it does ring true in many respects.
“We keep coming up with competitions that we think are going to be great and are, for the most part, money-spinners. Which I understand because that is what grows the game but if the punters don’t like what they see and don’t turn up, it ain’t going to work.
“Tradition is not always going to win, we know that. Sometimes the game does need to move on to keep up with the pace. But you should test the temperature of the room before you make those kinds of decisions.”
What Klopp, Arteta and others said
Beyond Postecoglou, fellow managers of the Premier League’s Big Six unsurprisingly backed the statements released by their respective clubs across Thursday and Friday.
Manchester United were the first to declare their commitment to Uefa competitions, with Chelsea, Manchester City and Spurs following suit on Thursday.
Arsenal and Liverpool, who meet at Anfield on Saturday, then completed the set on Friday, insisting their stance on the ESL has not changed following the ruling.
“I agree 100 per cent with that statement,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said. “But I am delighted that we finally get a bit of an understanding that Fifa and Uefa and other bodies cannot just do what they want.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta added: “We love playing in the Champions League and we’ll continue to do so.
“Supporters and the passion they bring to the game is the reason they are the most important part of the game. They make this game so enjoyable. We have to look after them and their opinion is important.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino said there were “too many questions marks” regarding the Super League, while United manager Erik ten Hag’s response was brief, saying: “I have to look at it in more detail if I want to express an opinion about it.”
Pep Guardiola was pushed for an answer on the eve of Manchester City’s Club World Cup final match against Fluminense on Friday, but his focus was clear. “I’m not going to to comment on that hours before we play a final,” he said.
Elsewhere, Newcastle may have painfully exited the Champions League earlier this month but in finishing fourth last season they became the most recent club to suggest a so-called Big Six is a thing of the past in the Premier League.
And as they target another year of European football next season, head coach Eddie Howe backed the current setup in place.
“It came out of the blue for me,” he said. “The big thing in England is our supporters and football let their feelings know the previous time.
“Ultimately, it’s their call which way they want it to go. Without giving it much thought, I would probably say I’m against it because I like the structure as it is.”
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