Amid a challenging season that has seen Tottenham Hotspur drop to 13th in the Premier League, manager Ange Postecoglou is under scrutiny for sticking to his attacking philosophy. However, Shane Stefanutto, a former player under Postecoglou at Brisbane Roar, believes the coach has a “Plan B” in his arsenal—though it may only serve as a short-term adjustment.
Stefanutto, who played a key role in Brisbane Roar’s record-breaking 36-game unbeaten streak and back-to-back A-League titles under Postecoglou, sees similarities between Spurs’ current struggles and challenges faced during their time at Roar. He recalled a period when Brisbane lost five consecutive games after their historic streak, prompting Postecoglou to make a temporary tactical shift.
“That was the only time Ange changed the system,” Stefanutto told ESPN. “It was called a ‘Plan B’ at the time, but I later realized it was just about refocusing the team on playing football. After five games, we returned to our usual style.”
Stefanutto described Postecoglou as a manager with unwavering belief in his football philosophy. “He had high expectations and a strong commitment to our playing style,” he said. “We trained hard and didn’t deviate from his vision.”
Despite recent criticism, Stefanutto is confident that Postecoglou’s approach at Spurs remains consistent. “He always emphasized performance over results,” Stefanutto explained. “He would focus on what was being done well and areas for improvement rather than obsessing over wins and losses.”
Postecoglou has expressed frustration with persistent media questions about Spurs’ style of play, even refusing to address the topic further this season. Stefanutto believes this reaction reflects the pressures of managing a high-profile club like Tottenham. “Ange understands that managing a big club comes with scrutiny,” he said. “But he’s someone who stays true to his principles.”
The Greek-Australian manager boasts an impressive track record, having won 10 major trophies across stints with Brisbane Roar, the Australian national team, Yokohama F. Marinos, and Celtic. Stefanutto remains optimistic about Postecoglou’s prospects at Spurs if given time to implement his vision. “He had a strong start last season and success in Europe,” Stefanutto said. “There are positive signs for the future.”