'It’s changed more since..' - Ange Postecoglou criticizes football change

The manager of Tottenham Hotspur, Ange Postecoglou, did not mince words when he voiced his displeasure with the explosive changes in football, especially the use of VAR (Video Assistant Referee). After Lucas Bergvall's late winner helped Spurs defeat Liverpool 1-0 in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semifinal, he made these remarks.

Referee Stuart Attwell used the stadium sound system to proclaim that Dominic Solanke's goal was offside during the match. Reflecting on the increasing dependence on technology in football, Ange Postecoglou said, "I'm really surprised at how people in this country are so easily letting the game change so much so quickly. It's changed more since VAR has come in since I've been involved than in the past 50 years."

Despite being hailed as a move in the right direction, Postecoglou questioned whether these advances actually helped the sport. "Did everyone find today's announcement particularly exciting? Did you feel energised by that? "I mean, seriously," he enquired, expressing the worry that the game may be losing its natural attraction due to technical improvements.

Tottenham won the match against Liverpool

"It's like my wife and our kids," he said, comparing the issue to handling technology at home. Although she restricts screen time, we are aware of technology. For what reason? I think we should slow down. The English football community should preserve the game's traditions, Postecoglou said, adding, "You guys think you're custodians of the game... yet it takes an Aussie from the other side of the world to be the one that's most conservative about changes," he said in the press conference.

Postecoglou admitted that Bergvall's late tackle on Kostas Tsimikas, which might have led to a second yellow card, was controversial. Nonetheless, he defended referee Attwell's ruling, pointing out that it followed the rules as they are now interpreted. 

Even though Spurs won, Postecoglou's worries highlighted a larger uneasiness. His comments were a moving reminder of the need to strike a balance between advancement and maintaining the sacredness of football, a topic that is still very relevant in the football community.