Tottenham Hotspur’s manager has issued a firm rebuttal to growing doubts about his leadership, declaring absolute confidence in his long-term project at the club. The statement comes in the wake of a heavy defeat to arch-rivals Arsenal, a result that has intensified scrutiny on his tenure.
The team’s form has been a significant concern, with only three victories in their last eleven matches across all competitions. The performance against Arsenal, characterized by a passive and disjointed display, has been seen as a particular low point, raising questions about the team’s direction.
Ahead of a crucial Champions League fixture, the manager emphasized his commitment to overcoming the setback. He stated that navigating such challenges was an inherent part of the job and stressed the importance of the team’s reaction in the coming matches.
“Part of accepting this role was to manage these situations,” he said. “I am one thousand percent certain I possess the knowledge to build a team and a club. We will do that. The critical test is how we learn and respond during difficult periods.”
He pointed to the stability at other top clubs, noting that their managers were afforded time to implement their ideas despite early struggles. He referenced a rival club’s manager, who transformed his squad over several seasons before achieving European success, as an example of the patience required.
Upon his appointment, the manager identified defensive solidity as the primary foundation for success. While acknowledging recent criticism over a lack of attacking creativity—a fair assessment, he conceded—he argued that the fundamental issue in the derby was a failure in basic competitiveness, not tactical setup.
“The most disappointing aspect was our inability to compete in duels,” he explained. “We were second best in the majority of those individual battles. If you don’t win those fundamentals, the formation becomes irrelevant. We lacked aggression and were not effective in securing possession.”
The manager confirmed no new injury problems following the weekend’s match, though one player will be unavailable for the next European fixture due to suspension. The club now enters a pivotal run of games where a response is demanded.