“I lost my father three years ago, and he should have been here for the journey.”
Ange Postecoglou delivered an interview like no Premier League manager has done before as he comes out in support for his player Richarlison.
The Brazil star has been struggling for form this year, and was pictured in tears after being substituted during his country’s 5-1 win over Bolivia during the international break.
The Spurs striker said that he would “seek psychological help” when he returned to England and his manager has backed him to find his way.
“Whatever Richy needs, we will help him get to the space he wants to get to,” said Postecoglou.
“He put it out there because he was quite emotional after a game and we will give him support he needs, but we do that for all players and most professional clubs do.”
Speaking in a press conference in the lead up to Saturday’s game against Sheffield United, the Tottenham manager delivered a really honest interview that will hit home with a lot of people, not just footballers.
“Everyone has something in their life that is stressful. I’ve lived 58 years now and there’s never been a time in my life where everything has been perfect.
“I lost my father three years ago, and he should have been here for the journey, so I’ve got to deal with that, and that’s just me talking personally, but everybody in this room at this moment – one part of your life could be flying, but there will be something.
“It could be a family member, it could be a health issue, it could be a financial issue, there’s always something, and footballers are not immune from that.
“Sometimes I think that they fall into the trap that they think they are, and they’re not. Just because you have money or you’re really good at something, life will still find a way to keep a balance in that, and there will be stuff in there that is going to be stressful, upsetting, and you got to just deal with that. ”
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A journalist then asked the Australian: “Do you think people in the game understand that?”
“I don’t think it’s a case of not understanding,” said Postecoglou
“I just think at times we choose to ignore it – ‘he’s a footballer, he’s got money, what’s he got to complain about?’
“Well of course he does, but then a footballer also has to understand that perfection doesn’t exist in life, plenty of people who we would assume to have all of the advantages in life, are fairly unhappy.
“I think for the most part people understand that that’s the case, they are empathetic, but sometimes they just choose to ignore it because it makes a more impactful kind of scenario, where ‘fantastic footballer has problems’ – well, they all do mate.”
Related links:
- Man United approach Tottenham for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
- Michail Antonio told by team-mate that Richarlison will not shake his hand this season
- Richarlison reveals how Antonio Conte dealt with him after “mistake”
