Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has launched a sharp critique of the North London club, questioning their status among Europe’s elite while revealing failed attempts to sign winger Antoine Semenyo during his tenure.
The Australian made the comments on The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast, where he reflected on his two-year spell in charge despite delivering Europa League success.
Postecoglou guided Spurs to continental silverware last season, but was dismissed shortly afterwards following a disappointing domestic campaign that saw the club finish 17th in the Premier League standings.
Explaining his recruitment plans, Postecoglou said Semenyo was among attacking targets he believed could transform Tottenham’s forward line.
He also identified Bryan Mbeumo, Pedro Neto and defender Marc Guéhi as priority signings, but negotiations never materialised.
Semenyo and Mbeumo have since secured high-profile moves, joining Manchester City and Manchester United respectively, where both have delivered impressive performances.
Postecoglou suggested Tottenham’s reluctance to aggressively pursue such players reflected a wider issue within the club’s ambition and strategic direction.
“When you walk into Tottenham, what you see everywhere is [the club’s motto] ‘To Dare Is To Do’ and yet their actions are almost the antithesis of that. I felt like Tottenham as a club were saying we’re one of the big boys and the reality is I don’t think they are.”
“I was looking at Pedro Neto and [Bryan] Mbeumo and [Antoine] Semenyo, Marc Guéhi. Those three teenagers- Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, Wilson Odobert- are outstanding young players and they’ll be great players for Tottenham, but they’re not going to get you from fifth to third and fourth.”
