Ange's long-term approach v fans' demand for instant success

I thought it would be a good idea to look at the way Ange Postecoglou thinks, with his track record of winning and his winning mentality as opposed to the way fans think.

A few key differences between the thinking of Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, the coach-based thinking of THBN Towers and an element of Spurs fans are:

Postecoglou thinking vs Fans thinking

Long-term vision vs short-term results

Postecoglou takes a long-term approach to building teams and implementing his football philosophy. Fans often judge based on immediate results and demand quick success.

Process focused vs outcome focused

Postecoglou focuses on processes like playing style, player development, etc. Fans care primarily about outcomes like wins, trophies, ever-changing league position.

Patience vs impatience

Postecoglou preaches patience as he institutes changes in the squad and style of play. Fans can be impatient for success and changes if results don't come quickly.

Holistic thinking vs knee-jerk reactions

Postecoglou makes decisions based on his overall vision and principles. Fans tend to have knee-jerk reactions to individual results and demand changes.

Continuity vs chopping and changing

Postecoglou believes in maintaining continuity in his squad and style over time. Fans often want wholesale changes if success doesn't come quickly.

Long-term development vs short-term success

Postecoglou focuses on developing players over time into his style of play. Fans want players who can deliver immediate success.

Process over personnel

Postecoglou will stick to his style of play regardless of personnel changes. Fans focus on individual player profiles and demand personnel changes.

Our Greek Australian boss takes a long-term, process-focused approach while fans tend to judge based on immediate results and demand quick fixes. 

This contrast creates tension between those who understand how to build long-term success and those who ignore all the rules in place and feel the club should lurch toward continually changing to chase constant short-term fixes.

Related Reading: What Spurs fans can learn from a sheep dog

Both Postecoglou's long-term focus and the fans' desire for immediate results are understandable in their own way.

However, there are some reasons why Postecoglou's approach may prove more successful in the long run:

• Building a successful team takes time. Quick fixes and knee-jerk reactions rarely lead to sustained success at the highest levels. Postecoglou understands success is a long-term process.
• Stability and continuity tend to breed success in football. Constantly changing managers and overhauling squads is disruptive. Postecoglou brings needed stability.
• Player development requires patience. Blooding young players and developing a distinctive style inevitably involves short-term growing pains. Fans don't always appreciate this.
• A holistic vision is important for progress. Focusing on immediate results loses sight of the bigger picture. Postecoglou sets a clear direction.
• Staying committed to principles brings eventual rewards. Abandoning philosophy at the first signs of trouble is reactionary. Postecoglou sticks to his guns.
• There's value in seeing the process through. Chopping and changing means constantly restarting. Postecoglou's continuity lets progress build.

So while fans want success now and they have been calling for it already, Postecoglou's approach seems to embrace the realities of long-term development in football.

If given time and that includes by fans, his process-driven philosophy may ultimately achieve the results Spurs fans crave.

Next article - The right approach vs The reckless approach

COYS