Chris Sutton has come to the defense of Celtic and former manager Ange Postecoglou, calling out English pundit Robbie Savage for his flawed and misguided views.
On BBC 606, Chris Sutton and Robbie Savage clashed over Ange Postecoglou’s recent spell at Tottenham, where results have been anything but consistent. Sutton stood firm in his defense of Postecoglou, while Savage expressed doubts, sparking a heated debate.
Spurs made a bold statement with an emphatic victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford just a few weeks ago. However, they suffered a shocking 3-2 loss to Brighton just seven days later, despite holding a commanding 2-0 lead at halftime, raising questions about their consistency under Postecoglou.
Robbie Savage, along with many pundits in English media, has criticized Ange Postecoglou for sticking to a single tactical approach. They argue he needs to be more flexible, even though this very style brought him immense success at Celtic, where he claimed five trophies in two years. Sutton and Savage recently went head-to-head over this, with Sutton defending Postecoglou’s philosophy, insisting it worked wonders in Scotland and should be given time in the Premier League.
“It doesn’t matter how you win… it’s all about results, Chris,” Savage argued. “There are different ways to win football matches, and how you win them is the most important thing. It’s about results. So when you talk about Spurs being entertaining, Ange Postecoglou will ultimately be judged on winning football matches, not on the entertainment factor.”
After Savage criticized Postecoglou’s methods, Sutton fiercely defended the Australian manager’s track record. “He has 25 years plus in management,” Sutton responded. “Hang on a minute, and he’s won things, so I don’t know why you’re bringing him up. He’s had a hugely successful coaching and management career, where he’s always won. Why are you bringing his name up?”
Savage quickly retorted, saying, “But at Celtic, they should win.”
Sutton was visibly irritated by Savage’s dismissive remark, calling him out for missing the bigger picture. “We’re not talking about just at Celtic; we’re talking about 25 years in management,” Sutton fired back. “No, but you’re missing the point there because that’s what certain clubs’ fan bases want,” he added, defending Postecoglou’s broader career success beyond Celtic.
Savage Doesn’t Get It.
Celtic fans demand more than just victories—they want to see their team win with flair, especially in domestic competitions. The Hoops have a long-standing tradition of playing dominant, attacking football that excites their supporters. Postecoglou embraced this philosophy, and his commitment to those footballing principles was key to his success in Glasgow’s east end.
Postecoglou’s principles have remained steadfast throughout his managerial career. Despite a rocky start at Parkhead, Celtic supporters stood by him, recognizing the powerhouse he was building. Their faith was rewarded, as his methods brought undeniable success. Perhaps Savage should show the same patience, trusting in Postecoglou’s proven track record.