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Jamie Redknapp has claimed Ange Postecoglou cupped his hands at Tottenham fans in a show of defiance during his side’s 1-0 defeat at Chelsea before failing to fully acknowledge them after the full-time whistle.

Spurs suffered their 16th loss in 30 Premier League games this season courtesy of Enzo Fernandez’s second-half header, although 14th-placed Spurs had a spectacular Pape Matar Sarr equaliser ruled out following a lengthy Video Assistant Referee check.

“When they scored, it looked like he cupped his hands to the Spurs fans as if to say ‘listen, I know better'”, said Redknapp, who played for Spurs between 2002 and 2005, speaking to Sky Sports while watching Postecoglou as the teams left the pitch.

“Normally, he’d be over there clapping them. There’s a disconnect between the two at the moment. It’s not ideal for the manager but he’s got big games ahead.”

Postecoglou ‘wanted Spurs fans to cheer’

Postecoglou, who lambasted the check on Sarr’s strike from 40 yards, said the incident had been misinterpreted. “I wanted them to cheer,” he told the broadcaster, responding to suggestions that supporters had derided his substitutions and chanted “you don’t know what you’re doing.”

“We’d just scored a cracking goal. I was listening because I wanted them to cheer, because they haven’t had a lot to cheer about. They’re allowed to boo but I wanted them to cheer.”

The Australian felt the length of the VAR review showed that the decision was not “clear and obvious” as defined by officiating guidance, but Redknapp and Sky Sports interview Patrick Davison both said they believed the call was correct.

Sarr was booked for a foul on Moises Caicedo in the build-up to the goal, while Caicedo had a goal ruled out minutes earlier when a VAR check chalked off his volley because Levi Colwill was deemed to have been offside.

Chelsea vs Tottenham: Postecoglou ‘lonely’

Both of Tottenham’s attempts on target came after the break in a game that ensured only the bottom four have taken fewer points than Postecoglou’s side from 30 league games.

“He looks lonely at times,” said Redknapp, who has strongly criticised Postecoglou previously but also defended how difficult the manager’s job is.

“He stands in that technical area on his own, he gets no support. He’s probably getting no support whatsoever from the board.

“I feel like sometimes you want someone – but he obviously doesn’t – throwing a few suggestions to him. That’s not how he obviously coaches. It’s not helping his cause because it makes him look even lonelier.”

Tottenham fixtures: ‘Keep going’

Spurs’ campaign depends on their Europa League quarter-final against Eintracht Frankfurt, who are third in Germany and visit London for the first leg on April 10 (20:00 BST).

They will seek a first league win in five games when they host Southampton on Sunday (14:00 BST), having beaten the rock-bottom side 5-0 away on December 15.

“He’s got to keep his head up, keep going, keep working hard, believe in what he’s trying to do,” said Redknapp.

“It was a tough night for them – they never really played or got going. These are the pressures of being a Premier League manager.”

AC Milan and Fabio Paratici have reached an agreement for the former Tottenham chief to take over as the Rossoneri’s new sporting director, according to reports.

Paratici, formerly Juventus’ Chief Football Officer and Spurs’ lead in the transfer market, is set to be officially named Milan’s sporting director in the coming weeks following successful negotiations between both parties on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Paratici met with Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani in London to discuss the move, despite Daniel Levy’s best efforts to bring him back to North London once his FIFA ban had ended.

Sky Sport Italia believe that Paratici, 52, has agreed to terms with Milan and will assume his new role at the start of the 2025-26 season.

Di Marzio has added that all the legal formalities will be completed in the coming weeks, meaning an official club announcement could be made within the next few months.

Paratici is currently serving a 30-month ban, which is scheduled to conclude in July 2025.

He was handed his ban for malpractice during his time at Juventus and was found guilty of falsifying accounts.

But with his ban coming to an end, Paratici will return to Serie A after four years away. He departed Juventus in 2021 after an 11-year tenure, during which the club secured nine Serie A titles.

One of Paratici’s first responsibilities at Milan will be selecting a new head coach for the 2025-26 season. According to the latest reports, Marseille’s Roberto De Zerbi is the leading candidate for the position.

However, Paratici will likely have his own ideas on what sort of manager he wants to bring to San Siro.

Ange Postecoglou has admitted there are some “outstanding candidates” if Tottenham decide to sack him.

The under-pressure Australian, whose Spurs side sit a disappointing 13th in the Premier League, says speculation over his future does not “rock my world” and insists he is relaxed on the matter.

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has reportedly been earmarked as Spurs’ top choice to replace Postecoglou.

Ahead of facing Chelsea on Thursday, the Spurs boss said: “I know what my responsibilities are. I’m sure if the club decide to go in a different direction, there are some outstanding candidates out there for it.

“It doesn’t rock my world, it doesn’t consume me. I am here and passionate about what we are doing.

“I was brought in to change the way the club plays, rejuvenate the squad and bring success. I am focused on that and that’s what I’ll keep doing.”

Ange on Poch return: ‘I hope it happens for him’

Former boss and Spurs favourite Pochettino has once again been linked with a return after admitting he would like to return to the North London club one day.

Asked about those comments, Postecoglou said: “Mauricio hopefully wants to come back one day, I hope it happens for him. We all have dreams and aspirations.

“You’re suggesting he was trying to put pressure on me?”

When asked whether the timing felt disrespectful, the 59-year-old replied: “Well I don’t feel disrespected.

“If you ask Mauricio that question directly, you’d get a pretty clear answer as to what his intent was.

“Again, nothing for me to be consumed with.”