In remarks to the press on Friday, Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou emphasized that qualifying for the Champions League does not guarantee progress and stated that he is not concerned about the financial implications of missing out on the competition.
Currently sitting in fifth place in the Premier League, Tottenham are well-positioned to secure a spot in the revamped Champions League for next season, with the top five teams in England expected to qualify.
The club recently reported an £86 million ($108.49 million) post-tax loss for the 2022-23 season, during which they reached the last 16 of the Champions League. Missing out on European competition this season, Postecoglou was asked whether he was worried about potential budget constraints in the upcoming transfer window.
“My focus is not on the financial pressures of qualifying for the Champions League, but on building a squad that can compete at that level and continue improving in the Premier League,” stated the Australian manager ahead of the weekend match against Nottingham Forest.
He emphasized that the key is not the amount of money a club makes from Champions League participation, but rather how effectively that money is utilized. Postecoglou believes that success is not solely determined by financial resources, but by how wisely those resources are invested in building a competitive squad.
Despite the financial loss, Tottenham saw a 24% increase in revenue to £549.6 million in 2023 and remains compliant with Premier League profitability and sustainability regulations, avoiding potential penalties.
Postecoglou asserted that Tottenham will not face the same transfer market restrictions as other clubs in the upcoming close-season trading period, reflecting his focus on footballing rather than financial considerations.
“We are football clubs, not banks or financial institutions. My success is not measured by the club’s annual balance sheet,” he stated, highlighting his concentration on on-field performance and development.
He cautioned against the assumption that qualifying for the Champions League and financial gains automatically translate to improved performance, acknowledging the increased challenges that come with competing at a higher level.
Tottenham will be missing striker Richarlison due to a knee injury for the Nottingham Forest match, but former Forest player Brennan Johnson is available despite a minor knock.
The game marks the return of Nuno Espirito Santo to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, following his dismissal after just four months in charge in November 2021. Santo now leads Nottingham Forest in their bid to avoid relegation, after taking over from Steve Cooper.
“It’s fair to say Nuno views Forest as a significant challenge. The competitive nature of the league presents challenges regardless of the club you are managing,” commented Postecoglou on the upcoming match.
($1 = 0.7927 pounds)
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
