Ange Postecoglou delivers very honest thoughts on Tottenham’s friendly in Australia v Newcastle United

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has now issued a very honest response when asked about the trip to Australia.

Having capped off their 2023/24 Premier League campaign with a victory over Sheffield United, Tottenham are already headed for the other side of the world.

Ange Postecoglou will be returning to his homeland and the city where he grew up, Melbourne, as Spurs face Newcastle United in a post-season friendly.

The Lilywhites secured three points and Europa League football on Sunday at Bramall Lane before they jetted off for Australia.

A busy summer awaits some of the Spurs players with respective international tournaments to be played before pre-season begins.

And the 58-year-old Spurs boss has now issued a very honest verdict on the fixture taking place just days after the final day of the Premier League term.

What Ange Postecoglou said about Tottenham’s friendly in Australia

It is a friendly which has sparked controversy across the game as it comes on the back of FA Cup replays being scrapped.

The media have had a field day in picking apart the club’s decision to fly the players off to the other side of the world as clubs continue to complain about the number of games being played these days.

Tottenham have had a fairly straightforward campaign with no European football to compete in and two poor showings in the Carabao and FA Cup.

But it still feels like a game which the Tottenham players probably could have done without after a season riddled by injuries.

Speaking after the game at Bramall Lane on Sunday, Postecoglou admitted he is probably the most excited for the game at the club.

“Yeah, probably I’m the one who’s most looking forward to it. Fair to say the lads are probably hoping that we weren’t going there, but we made the commitment and we will go there and be professional,” he told BBC Sport.

“We’ll put on a show hopefully for the Aussie fans and then everyone goes away [for summer].”

Speaking in his press conference after the game, Postecoglou also provided an insight as to how he will pass the time on the flight.

“I will read a bit and watch a couple of series I’ve downloaded. I’m not going to tell you what they are, mate, so don’t ask. That’s about it. It’s a long flight. I don’t know if you’ve been to Oz but it’s brutal so you’ve got to fill the time in,” he said.

Which Tottenham players have travelled to Australia?

The players travelled straight to East Midlands Airport on Sunday after the game in Sheffield for the first of their two flights.

Spurs were travelling to Colombo, Sri Lanka before then proceeding onwards to Melbourne, Australia.

There have been a number of interesting omissions from the squad for Wednesday’s game with Cristian Romero absent – presumably with the Copa America coming up.

However, there are also the likes of Giovani Lo Celso and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg who have been left out who are expected to move on this summer.

Here is the 24 players Postecoglou is taking to Melbourne…