Former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has been confirmed as Tottenham’s new manager, but Arsenal legend Martin Keown has questioned the decision and believes it will do nothing to shift the balance of power in north London. The Gunners reasserted their dominance over their local rivals last season, finishing above a disheveled Spurs for the first time in seven years and completing a rare Premier League home and away double.
While Arsenal pushed Manchester City until the closing stages of the campaign, Tottenham endured a miserable season by comparison, parting company with Antonio Conte and dispensing with his former assistant, Cristian Stellini, who had been placed in caretaker charge. The search for Conte’s successor was far from straightforward, either, with both Julian Nagelsmann and Arne Slot having been apparently on the verge of taking on the role at various points over the course of the last month.
Keown believes Postecoglou represents something of an underwhelming hire, one which will do little to bring Spurs closer to Arsenal next season. He told talkSPORT: ‘I want to have respect for all managers, but I thought [Antonio] Conte was an outstanding manager. That was my biggest fear actually [that Spurs would win trophies], because he was capable of doing special things.’
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has come under fire from fans as a result of Tottenham’s under-par season (Picture: Getty) He added: ‘I don’t know if the Spurs fans have ever been as frustrated in their history, so it’s a difficult one for him [Postecoglou] to come into. Has he got the pedigree? He’s going to walk into something he has never experienced ever before.’
Arsenal legend Martin Keown has questioned Tottenham’s appointment of Ange Postecoglou as their new manager, believing it will do nothing to shift the balance of power in north London. The Gunners reasserted their dominance over their local rivals last season, finishing above a disheveled Spurs for the first time in seven years and completing a rare Premier League home and away double.
While Arsenal pushed Manchester City until the closing stages of the campaign, Tottenham endured a miserable season by comparison, parting company with Antonio Conte and dispensing with his former assistant, Cristian Stellini, who had been placed in caretaker charge. The search for Conte’s successor was far from straightforward, either, with both Julian Nagelsmann and Arne Slot having been apparently on the verge of taking on the role at various points over the course of the last month.
Keown believes Postecoglou represents something of an underwhelming hire, one which will do little to bring Spurs closer to Arsenal next season. He told talkSPORT: ‘I want to have respect for all managers, but I thought [Antonio] Conte was an outstanding manager. That was my biggest fear actually [that Spurs would win trophies], because he was capable of doing special things.’
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has come under fire from fans as a result of Tottenham’s under-par season (Picture: Getty) He added: ‘I don’t know if the Spurs fans have ever been as frustrated in their history, so it’s a difficult one for him [Postecoglou] to come into. Has he got the pedigree? He’s going to walk into something he has never experienced ever before.’ Despite Keown’s doubts, Tottenham have confirmed the appointment of Postecoglou on a four-year deal.