Postecoglou shows how to handle ref, VAR issues with dignity،
It’s the oldest tactic in a Premier League manager’s handbook, even though it was never taught in those vaunted coaching courses that let them take a job in the first place: when all goes wrong, just blame the referee.
Sir Alex Ferguson did it – the former Manchester United manager probably set a record for outbursts towards officials – and José Mourinho, Arsène Wenger, Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola have also taken criticism of referees to such an extent that they were punished by gaming authorities with bans or fines and warned not to do it again.
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Punishment often comes with an apology and an admission that they have crossed the line and will behave better next time. But there’s always next time, and referees continue to be subjected to all levels of condemnation and fury from the boss on the touchline. And it’s not just men; Emma Hayes – who sources tell ESPN is close to being named the next coach of the United States women’s national team – is no stranger to criticism from officials during her time as Chelsea manager.
Manchester United’s Erik ten Hag and Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta now continue the tradition established by their predecessors. Ten Hag has hit out at three key decisions that cost his team dearly in Wednesday’s 4-3 defeat to FC Copenhagen in the Champions League, branding one of them “embarrassing”, but the former Ajax coach did not once mention his players’ numerous mistakes. or even his own in terms of selection and tactics.
As for Arteta, barely a week goes by without the Gunners manager pointing the finger squarely at officials – on the pitch or at VAR HQ at Stockley Park – for directly contributing to Arsenal’s loss of points. Arteta said it was an “absolute disgrace” that Anthony Gordon’s goal for Newcastle United in Saturday’s 1-0 win at St James’ Park was allowed after three separate VAR checks. Yet when pushed, he was unable to tell which of the apparent infractions – offside ball, offside and pushing on defender Gabriel – were incorrectly ruled out by the referees. The Premier League’s independent Key Match Incidents Committee has since ruled that the referee and VAR were right to award the goal.
It is too easy to say that managers are simply looking for a deflection tactic when attacking public officials. More often than not, this means attributing too much strategic thinking to them when in reality they are simply irritable over a decision they don’t like. In a profession where they are used to having their demands met at the click of a button, they cannot accept that some things do not happen the way they want them to. Arteta’s doubling down on his post-Newcastle comments earlier this week, saying he had a “duty to defend my club”, only underlined managers’ increasingly narrow view when it comes to concerns their role and responsibilities.
Which is why Ange Postecoglou’s mature and reasoned response to Tottenham Hotspur’s chaotic 4-1 defeat to Chelsea on Monday was so shocking, but in a positive way. Spurs suffered their first league defeat of the season in a match which reduced them to nine players following red cards from Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie. Five goals were also disallowed, including one by VAR, but all required lengthy checks.
Tottenham’s defeat ticked all the boxes in terms of giving a manager a burning sense of injustice (even if both red card decisions were correct.) But everyone who was waiting for Postecoglou to explode and overshadow the recent rant of Arteta were disappointed, surprised or delighted, depending on your point of view.
“Premier League managers should just manage their football clubs,” Postecoglou said. “I have never spoken and will never speak to a referee about the rules of the game. I was taught that you grow up and respect the officials.
“I think it’s very difficult for referees to officiate these days. Their authority is constantly diminished. I grew up afraid of referees. They would be like police officers. Today I guess we respond too to the police. I’m old. -school. I come from a bygone era. I love the purity of the game.”
Postecoglou also said he believed he was “in the wilderness” with his opinions and that managers, including himself, would “always try to bend the rules” in their favor. The former Celtic manager’s comments are a refreshing change from his rivals’ angry statements this season – and they have become so angry that they risk fueling fan hostility, with potentially dangerous consequences .
While Postecoglou has received widespread praise for his refusal to condemn those responsible, there has been a distinct absence of vocal support from his fellow leaders. Perhaps they are not as balanced or logical as the Spurs boss and, in their eyes, perhaps view the Australian as taking a contrarian stance to play to the gallery. But if they all took a leaf from Postecoglou’s book and reduced the victimization of officials trying to do an increasingly difficult job, the game would be better off.
