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.”
“He’s just got to keep his head up”
Jamie Redknapp reacts to Spurs’ defeat at Stamford Bridge 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/rzvGvGI7tv
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 3, 2025
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.”
“Tell me what’s clear and obvious about it mate?!”
Ange Postecoglou is NOT happy with the referee ruling out Pape Matar Sarr’s goal 😤 pic.twitter.com/OweJQL2ZXo
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 3, 2025
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.
🗣️ “It’s the hardest job in the world!”
Jamie Redknapp suggests Ange Postecoglou maybe needs support. pic.twitter.com/IYiV02aIeZ
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 3, 2025
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.”
“It was clear and obvious”
Jamie Redknapp’s honest opinion on the referee ruling out Pape Matar Sarr’s goal 💬 pic.twitter.com/Q8sx6sV03u
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 3, 2025
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.”
