Richarlison emphasized the significant transformation brought to the club by their new manager, Ange Postecoglou. According to the Brazilian striker, the key shift at Tottenham this season has been the introduction of Postecoglou’s innovative football philosophy.
Last season, there were high hopes for Tottenham, following their impressive finish in the 2020-21 season under the management of Antonio Conte. However, the Lilywhites experienced a dramatic downturn in the second half of the season, with Conte publicly expressing his frustration, suggesting that the players were struggling to cope with the pressure (The Athletic).
As the new season approached, expectations for Tottenham were somewhat subdued, with many anticipating a transitional period under the guidance of Ange Postecoglou. Contrary to the prevailing narrative, Richarlison firmly refuted the notion that there has been a fundamental change in the squad’s mentality. He emphasized that the primary alteration has been the infusion of Postecoglou’s ideas into the team.
When asked about Tottenham’s surprising competitiveness this season, Richarlison told ESPN Brasil, “I don’t think so, because the coach came with a very good philosophy, and we, the players, bought into his idea.” He went on to elaborate, saying, “So I think his style of play favors us as players. I think we’ve been doing a great job. I believe that almost nothing has changed about players from last year. Only the philosophy really changed, and we bought into his ideas.”
Richarlison’s remarks underscore the impact of Ange Postecoglou’s coaching philosophy on the Tottenham squad. Under his guidance, the team appears to have embraced a new approach to the game, one that has reinvigorated their performance and competitiveness in the league. This shift in mentality, driven by Postecoglou’s innovative ideas, has provided Tottenham with a fresh perspective as they aim to achieve success in the current season.