THE reason for Ange Postecoglou's stunning claim that the foundations at Tottenham are "fragile" has reportedly been revealed.
The Aussie manager made the extraordinary statement following his troops' 2-0 defeat to Manchester City on Tuesday night.
Postecoglou was incensed by the pre-match attitude of some Spurs fans, some of whom wanted the team to lose to put a dent in the title hopes of their bitter rivals Arsenal.
He ranted: "The last 48 hours have revealed that the foundations are fairly fragile.
"That's what I feel. The last 48 hours have revealed a fair bit to me.
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"But it just means I've got to go back to the drawing board with some things.
"It’s outside, inside, everywhere. It's been an interesting exercise."
Spurs fans were left baffled by the former Celtic boss' outburst, which, according to The Athletic, was in part down to the club's "relaxed about losing" to City.
They claim the prospect of losing the match was a running joke among some of the staff at the club.
And Postecoglou is said to have blown a gasket after one staff member jokingly suggested he should "play a youth team" against City.
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Tottenham have categorically denied the claim.
Postecoglou was in a prickly mood during the match, so much so that he had an angry exchange with a fan who questioned where his passion had been all season.
Despite being eager to get his thoughts on the "foundations" of the club, the 58-year-old refused to give specifics.
He said: "It's my observations, mate. I'm not going to tell you because it's for me.
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"I'm the one that's got to do it so you can make your own assessment over what's happpened.
"I understand I have probably misread the situation to what I think is important and in your endeavour to become a winning team. But it's okay, it's why I'm here.
"I want to be successful at this football club, it's why I was brought in.
"So what other people, how they want to feel, and what their priorities are, are of zero interest to me.
"I know what's important to build a winning team, that's what I need to concentrate on.
"It is what it is, mate. I can't dictate what people do. They are allowed to express themselves in any way they want.
"But yeah, when we've got late winners in games it's because the crowd has helped us.
"I already know what I want to do, it's just I've got to make some adjustments to how I do it."
Spurs will travel to Bramall Lane on Sunday afternoon to face Sheffield United for their final game of the season.