In 1978, Soviet dissident and Nobel prize winning author Alexander Solzenitsyn offered a critique of the moral failings of Western society. In it he wrote about how Western society prevents great statesmen from ever achieving anything:
A statesman who wants to achieve something important and highly constructive for his country has to move cautiously and even timidly; thousands of hasty (and irresponsible) critics cling to him at all times; he is constantly rebuffed by parliament and the press. He has to prove that his every step is well-founded and absolutely flawless.
Indeed, an outstanding, truly great person who has unusual and unexpected initiatives in mind does not get any chance to assert himself; dozens of traps will be set for him from the beginning. Thus mediocrity triumphs under the guise of democratic restraints.
A fundamentally great statesman is someone who can define a charismatic vision of something is both different and better and be able to lead the people on this journey. And in his own way, I believe Ange Postecoglou has the potential to become a great statesman for Tottenham Hotspur. Someone who can break the supposed “spell” or reputation that prevents Spurs from winning a trophy.
Ange Out
I think the problem that Solzehnitsyn identified in 1978 has been perfectly encapsulated by the recent criticisms of Ange Postecoglou and calls for him to be replaced as Tottenham coach. This criticism seems to be in direct response to Ange’s claim “I always win something in my second season” following a defeat against Arsenal in the North London Derby.
My hunch is that this criticism isn’t really about the tactics, style of play, or defensive problems that Tottenham may or may not be having this season. Instead, to have someone so boldly state that they will win something this season, is triggering to fans who don’t want to open themselves up to be emotionally vulnerable again.
Beneath every cynic is a frustrated romantic
The question of why would fans become so triggered by Ange stating boldly that Spurs will win something this season? After all, isn’t that what every fan wants? For their club to do well and win trophies?
I believe they are scared. Scared of the mental and emotional toll of opening themselves up to believing again that their club can win.
After all, Spurs are a club that has come close to glory and failed in recent times (2015-16 Premier League, 18-19 Champions League final) and since then been in a wilderness period with a string of promising but ultimately fruitless coaches such as Mourinho and Conte.
Perhaps they shy away from opening themselves to the vulnerability and associated heartbreak if they were ever to come close and fail again. Instead perhaps, unconsciously they would want to push Ange out and ensure mediocrity of the club to protect themselves from every having to face the possibility of feeling that hurt again.
After all, they had a taste of the beauty, sublimeness and resilience of Angeball last season in their first 10 game unbeaten streak. They know that this style of play can win games in the Premier league.
What is the journey?
As I wrote about before in the Ange Postecoglou Hierarchy of Skepticism. The criticism of Ange occurs in four distinct phases:
- Who the hell is Ange Postebabloo?
- But can he do it in the Scotland/Premier League/Cold Rainy Night in Stoke?
- Can they actually win trophies though?
- Inevitable Success
Fans progress through each phase after having their doubts from the previous phase be assuaged.
It seems like the majority of Spurs fans are currently at Stage 3. They have seen that Ange Ball can work in the English Premier League (the best league in the world) with the string of 10 unbeaten games. Now the criticisms have shifted to whether this tactics and play style can lead to true success at the club – which is to win trophies.
The main criticism is that Ange’s tactics are all out attack, a glass cannon- beautiful when it works, but easily broken if it doesn’t. The refrain from Ange skeptics is (why cant he just adjust and play more pragmatically against “better” opponents.)
How sweet it is to be loved by you
Imagine that you can time travel into a few years into the future and Ange Postecoglou has done it with Spurs, he’s won the FA Cup, EFL Cup, a Premier League title, perhaps even a Champions league. If you could meet your future self and ask what they wanted to most relive.
I would guess that they would say, they wanted to experience the entire ride again. The ups, downs. The rollercoaster of emotions playing in this free spirited, attacking way.