Ange Postecoglou Calls Out Timo Werner After Spurs’ Europa League Draw
GLASGOW, Scotland — It was a night to forget for Tottenham Hotspur forward Timo Werner, and head coach Ange Postecoglou didn’t hold back in his post-match comments. Following Spurs’ 1-1 draw with Rangers in the Europa Conference League on Thursday, Postecoglou delivered a blunt assessment of Werner’s performance, calling it “unacceptable.”
Werner, currently in his second season on loan at Spurs from RB Leipzig, struggled to make an impact during the first half at Ibrox. His night ended early when he was substituted for Dejan Kulusevski, who wasted no time making his mark. Although Spurs conceded a goal just two minutes after Kulusevski’s introduction, the Swedish international later scored the equalizer that salvaged a point for the North London side.
When asked if Werner’s substitution was purely tactical, Postecoglou didn’t mince words: “Yeah, he wasn’t playing anywhere near the level he should.”
Spurs’ Struggles Continue
For Tottenham, the draw at Ibrox was another frustrating result in a string of underwhelming performances. Kulusevski, who stepped up to score the crucial equalizer, acknowledged the team’s ongoing struggles. “I think Rangers played very well. We struggled a bit. 1-1, it is what it is. We didn’t play well enough to win the game,” he said. “It’s always important to score, but we’ve got to start winning games. We haven’t won in a couple of weeks. Everybody needs to do a little bit more than we’re doing right now.”
The draw leaves Spurs sitting ninth in the Europa League table, one spot below Rangers, who currently occupy the last automatic qualification spot for the knockout rounds. With time running out to turn their European campaign around, the pressure is mounting on Postecoglou and his squad.
Teenagers Shine Amid Senior Struggles
While Werner’s performance drew criticism, two of Spurs’ youngest players earned praise from their manager. With senior defenders Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and Ben Davies sidelined by injuries, 18-year-old Archie Gray was thrust into the spotlight as a makeshift center-back. Despite the high-pressure situation, Gray delivered a standout performance that earned glowing praise from Postecoglou, who described him as “outstanding.”
Another 18-year-old, Lucas Bergvall, also made a significant impact. Introduced as part of a triple substitution in the 75th minute, Bergvall played a key role in helping Spurs secure a vital point. Postecoglou highlighted the contributions of the teenagers when discussing the need for senior players like Werner to step up.
“I think when you’ve got 18-year-olds, I think it’s not acceptable to me,” Postecoglou said. “I said that to Timo, he’s a senior international, a Germany international. In the moment we’re in right now, it’s not like we’ve got many, kind of, options. I need everyone to at least be going out there trying to give the best of themselves. His performance in the first half wasn’t acceptable.”
What’s Next for Werner and Spurs?
Postecoglou didn’t offer a detailed explanation for Werner’s struggles but made it clear that the team needs more from its senior players. “I don’t really know. It’s not really of great concern,” he said. “Like I said, we just need everybody, including him, to be contributing because we don’t have the depth to sort of leave people out if they’re performing poorly. We need them to play their part. And like I said, especially the senior guys, when I’m asking younger guys to do massive jobs, I expect the level of performance from some of the senior guys, and today wasn’t that.”
For Werner, the criticism from his manager is a wake-up call. As a seasoned international with a wealth of experience, he’s expected to lead by example, especially during a challenging period for the team. Whether he can bounce back and deliver the performances Spurs need remains to be seen.
As for Tottenham, the road ahead doesn’t get any easier. With their Europa League hopes hanging by a thread and their domestic form under scrutiny, the team must find a way to turn things around quickly. The contributions of young talents like Gray and Bergvall are encouraging, but the onus is on the senior players to step up and guide the team through this rough patch.
One thing is certain: Postecoglou’s patience is wearing thin, and the pressure is on for Werner and his teammates to deliver.
Originally Written by: Tom Hamilton
