/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/03/31/image-e8c94e4f-f03e-4d05-b215-012ed479302b-85-2560-1440.jpeg "Hargreaves: Postecoglou's Spurs philosophy 'getting in the way of winning games' - tntsports.co.uk")
Published 07/04/2025 at 12:13 GMT+1
Owen Hargreaves and Rio Ferdinand were both unimpressed with the desire of managers to defend their philosophies to the extent that it prevents them winning games by adapting. The former Manchester United team-mates discussed whether a UEFA Europa League triumph would mean more to Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford, or under-fire Ange Postecoglou, with both sides struggling in the Premier League.
Ange or Amorim: Who needs Europa League glory more?
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Former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves believes Ange Postecoglou’s philosophy is "getting in the way of winning games" at Tottenham Hotspur.
The Australian made a superb impression in north London in his debut season in the Premier League, but the campaign was wrecked by a persistent injury crisis which has not yet been fully resolved.
Postecoglou has also come under fire for not altering his approach to the game while missing key defenders, instead remaining committed to an attacking strategy.
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Many observers have suggested he should play more conservatively, but the club remain in the bottom half of the table.
The Londoners still have one chance left to win silverware as they are in the UEFA Europa League, with their first leg in the quarter-finals of the tournament coming against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday, April 10 - live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Speaking on TNT Sports alongside Joleon Lescott, Joe Hart, Steve McManaman and his former United team-mate Rio Ferdinand, Hargreaves pointed out that even the best teams need to adapt to their opponents.
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He said: "We played in a good United team, won the league. But we played Barcelona in the Champions League, remember, Rio? What did we do over those two legs?
"We said, you can have the ball, we’ll hit you on the counter."
He added: "This philosophy thing is getting in the way of winning games. We had [Carlos] Tevez, [Wayne] Rooney, [Cristiano] Ronaldo, [Rio Ferdinand], [Nemanja] Vidic, [Edwin] van der Sar, [Paul] Scholes, everyone.
"It’s not about winning, it’s not about, ‘we got 77% possession, and we played nice football.’"
Hargreaves concluded: "Tottenham could win the Europa League if they defended well."
Ferdinand gave short shrift to the idea of managers’ philosophies, suggesting that, for some, it was an attempt to impress without building winning sides.
He said: "It’s style over substance now. It’s about who looks the man, who’s got the clipboard out, who looks like he’s putting out a team that’s tactically superior.
"When push comes to shove, you need your players to make decisions and win you games."
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Hart: 'Spurs are right at the end of their tether'
The Breakdown also discussed whether Manchester United or Spurs would benefit more from winning the tournament. Both teams have only dignity to play for in their remaining league games, but winning the Europa League would earn them a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Lescott suggested that with Ruben Amorim relatively safe at United after he came to the club already in trouble in November, it is Postecoglou and Tottenham who would be more positively affected by a Europa League triumph.
He explained: "Who would need it more? I would say Spurs. Nothing changes at United if they don’t win. Spurs, their manager is changing, potentially. At this stage, bigger things happen if [Spurs win]."
Hart concurred, saying: "I think Spurs are right at the end of their tether if they don’t produce in this competition."
McManaman believes Postecoglou put himself in a tough position when he said at the start of the campaign that he traditionally wins silverware in his second season.
"Ange saying he lifts trophies in his second season," the former Liverpool man began. "That’s like a millstone around his neck.
"The media will never let him forget that. So if it doesn’t happen, there will be wholesale changes at Tottenham. You don’t want it to happen, but that’s what will happen. You can feel it."
Watch Premier League, Champions League and Europa League football on TNT Sports and discovery+
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