Cristian Romero apologises for blaming Tottenham board for on-pitch failures

Cristian Romero has apologised for suggesting that Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy and the club’s board are to blame for the team’s struggles as the problems continue to mount for head coach Ange Postecoglou before a pivotal run of games.

Postecoglou has confirmed that he spoke to Romero after the defender gave an interview to Spanish-speaking media, in which he called into question the running of the club – something that cost former Tottenham player Danny Rose two weeks’ wages and more than one ex-manager his job.

Romero could be missing for as long as six weeks with a new thigh injury suffered against Chelsea, while there are fears Micky van de Ven could be out for at least two or three weeks with another hamstring problem.

That means Postecoglou faces being without his first-choice centre backs for the crucial run of games up to Christmas and possibly into the new year – starting against Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Postecoglou did not confirm whether Romero has been fined for his outspoken interview following the Chelsea defeat in which the Argentine said: “The last few years, it’s always the same – first the players, then the coaching staff changes, and it’s always the same people responsible.

“Hopefully, they realise who the true responsible ones are and we move forward because it’s a beautiful club that, with the structure it has, could easily be competing for the title every year.”

Asked about Romero’s comments, Postecoglou said: “I’ve already spoken to Cristian about it and he’s apologised for the way he said it, particularly in the public sense. It wasn’t the right way to go about things. He’s a human being, he got emotional and I think he just expressed what he wanted to express, probably in the wrong way. He does care, but there’s a way to do these things and a way to express yourself and the way he did it wasn’t the right way.

“I don’t feel and it’s certainly not my belief that our challenges at the moment are down to one thing or one person, I don’t believe that, I never have believed that.

“Whatever we need to do, we have the power to do that, but it’ll only happen if we stay united as a group, particularly through difficult times, get through to the other side. I fully believe if you can do that, you come out stronger.”

Romero and Van de Ven only returned from injury against Chelsea, but both players were forced off and Postecoglou described Tottenham’s current injury crisis as the worst he has experienced as a head coach.

“At the moment, we’re still getting more information on both the guys and I wouldn’t put any timeline on it yet,” said Postecoglou, who is also missing first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. “It’s challenging. We’ve also got Ben Davies out. It’s no secret we’re thin on numbers both squad-wise and position-wise.”

Postecoglou confirmed that teenager Archie Gray will have to fill in as a makeshift central defender while Romero, Van de Ven and Davies are all out. He said: “I think Archie’s probably the one for us at the moment that we need to try and get to fill in there. He’s done right-back, left-back for us. Had to play at centre-back a little bit this year, he did during the pre-season. We’ve still got five or six games to navigate, so we may have to get creative at some point and deal with it in a different way.”

Postecoglou knows that, as a former Celtic manager, he will not get any sympathy from Rangers fans at Ibrox. But the Australian will relish the red-hot atmosphere.

“I don’t know if it brings out more of me,” said Postecoglou. “I mean, I’m like anyone else, I like a bit of love every now and then! But I do enjoy that [atmosphere]. It’s exciting. You look forward to big games and I’m sure the players are as well.”

Romero criticises board for lack of investment

Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero appears to have criticised the club’s board for a lack of investment in the squad.

Romero, in an interview with Telemundo Deportes after Sunday’s defeat by Chelsea, said the club must imitate the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea by “strengthening” their first team.

Spurs have won only one of their past seven matches in all competitions, with pressure now mounting on Ange Postecoglou. The head coach retains internal support at the club despite growing discontent among the club’s supporters.

“Manchester City competes every year, you see how Liverpool strengthens its squad, Chelsea strengthens their squad, doesn’t do well, strengthens again, and now they’re seeing results. Those are the things to imitate,” said Romero. “You have to realise that something is going wrong, hopefully, they [the board] realise it.

“The last few years, it’s always the same – first the players, then the coaching staff changes, and it’s always the same people responsible.

“Hopefully they realise who the true responsible ones are and we move forward because it’s a beautiful club that, with the structure it has, could easily be competing for the title every year.”

Romero is believed to have given the interview live on Spanish television after the Chelsea match, with an article then posted on the website of Telemundo Deportes. That article is no longer online, though.

The Argentine also insisted that he and his team-mates are happy under Postecoglou, saying that the players “love” how the current coaching staff are working.

“We saw it in the first season [under Postecoglou]. In this second one we’ve suffered a lot of injuries,” Romero said. “Players are the first ones to be criticised, then if we lose 10 games, the staff can be changed, but nobody talks about what is actually happening.

“We are very happy with this staff, me and my colleagues. We love how they work and the football they try to play.”

Spurs are 11th in the Premier League ahead of their trip to face Southampton on Sunday. Before that, on Thursday, they travel to Scotland to face Rangers in the Europa League.