Ange Postecoglou insists Cristian Romero was wrong to criticize Tottenham's board over a perceived lack of investment, but sympathizes with his 'emotional' outburst.
The Spurs boss also revealed that Romero has tried to ease tensions by apologizing for his comments after their 4-3 defeat to Chelsea on Sunday.
Romero gave an interview in which he claimed that 'something is going wrong' when discussing how much Tottenham spend on players, claiming that they should 'imitate' Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea.
In fact, Spurs had the fifth highest net spend in the Premier League this summer at -£83.1 million. Manchester United was the only 'Big Six' club with a higher net spend. Over a five-year period, their net spend is the fourth largest at £-458.8 million, a figure only surpassed by Chelsea, United and Arsenal.
Tottenham have won just one in seven and in the interview Romero, who has reportedly been out injured for six weeks, defended Postecoglou by suggesting that changing the manager is not always the answer after several years of hiring and firing.
“I think in the context of the day, Cristian was obviously very disappointed,” Postecoglou said.
'He had to go away and then look at the team and feel the pain of another defeat, the way it happened meant he was clearly very emotional.
'He is a leader within the club. He wasn't able to help us and I think it was his way as a leader to help us and the group by saying that we are going through a difficult time, but he believes in what we are doing.
“I think the way he probably put it wasn't the right way, especially in a public sense, because it's certainly not my belief that our challenges right now are the result of one thing or one person. I think whatever we need to do, we have the power to do it. But it will only happen if we remain somewhat united as a group, especially in difficult times.
“A lot of what he said was good. Some of what he said was wrong. It shouldn't happen in public. I believe we deal with these things within our own four walls because there are always issues that we have to deal with, in the same way that I wouldn't criticize a player or anyone else publicly.
“I know people get quite lecherous when it comes to punishment and stuff. They really like that kind of thing. I think I'm pretty consistent when I say that I just don't think that's important.
“I think it's more important that we understand how to deal with these things and deal with them better.
'I've already spoken to Cristian about it. He has apologized for the fact that the way he said it, especially in the public sense, was not the right way to go about things. He's human. He became emotional and I think he expressed what he wanted to express publicly in the wrong way.”
Spurs are eleventh in the Premier League and seem to be taking one back with every step forward. However, a run of one win and four defeats in their last seven games has intensified the scrutiny on Postecoglou.
Mail Sport understands he retains Levy's immediate support, although there is understanding the results need to improve.
After the loss at Chelsea, Romero was asked whether Tottenham were affected by limited spending and a lack of depth. He told Telemundo Deportes: 'The truth is that I would not like to comment, but…
'Manchester City participate every year, you see Liverpool strengthening their team, Chelsea strengthening their team, not doing well, getting stronger again, and now they are seeing results. Those are the things you have to imitate.
'You have to realize that something is going wrong, hopefully they realize that. The last few years it's always the same: first the players change, then the coaching staff changes, and it's always the same people who are responsible.
'Hopefully they realize who the real people responsible are and we move on, because it's a wonderful club that, with the structure it has, could easily challenge for the title every year.'
He backed Postecoglou, adding: “He is a great coach. We saw it in the first season. In this second one we suffered a lot of injuries.
'Players are the first to be criticized, and if we lose ten games the staff can be changed, but no one talks about what actually happens.
'We are very happy with this staff, me and my colleagues. We like the way they work and the football they try to play. We're trying to move on quickly.”
Postecoglou is the fifth manager, including caretaker bosses, under whom Romero has played since arriving at Tottenham in August 2021.
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