Ange Postecoglou found himself in the midst of controversy once again with Tottenham supporters.
Postecoglou became the first Tottenham manager to lose his first four league games against Chelsea after Enzo Fernandez scored the decisive goal at Stamford Bridge.
Away supporters were angered by two incidents involving the Australian manager.
The first incident occurred when Postecoglou substituted Lucas Bergvall with Pape Matar Sarr in the second half, surprising many fans.
Fans responded to the substitution with chants of: "You don't know what you're doing."
Shortly after, Sarr scored a long-distance goal.
Postecoglou then appeared to cup his ears towards the Tottenham fans in response to their earlier chants.
This gesture angered many, with some accusing Postecoglou of provoking the supporters.
However, the goal was disallowed after a VAR review, much to Postecoglou`s frustration.
After the final whistle, Postecoglou seemed to instruct his players to applaud the traveling fans, while he himself remained near the halfway line.
Some fans accused the under-pressure manager of avoiding the fans after the defeat, which left Tottenham in 14th place.
Postecoglou dismissed any negative intent regarding the incident with Sarr and instead criticized the lengthy VAR review.
Regarding his gesture, he stated he was trying to encourage the Spurs fans.
Postecoglou explained: "I want them to be happy – we've just scored a cracking goal.
"I wanted them to get really excited. I felt at that time we could potentially go on and win the game."
About the VAR delay, he added: "You are standing around for 12 minutes. It's just killing the game, but no-one cares about that.
"They just love the drama and controversy and I'm sure there will be 24 hours discussion about it and that's what everyone wants – they're not really interested that it's killing the spectacle of the game.
"If a referee sees that and he needs to see it for six minutes, what's clear and obvious about it?
"That's why the game is going the way it is.
"The referee gave it and then needed six minutes [to rule the goal out] for something the VAR official thought was clear and obvious. It's crazy, mate. It's madness."
Despite Postecoglou`s explanation, fans criticized his actions, suggesting a growing disconnect between the manager and supporters.
One fan commented: "I can’t tell if our fan base has broken him or if he has always been this arrogant.
"Goading fans after you’ve lost 15 leagues games and it’s only April is next level insanity."
Another criticized him for "blaming VAR for coming to the right decision because he is tactically inept and he’s team has lost again".
A third fan noted: "Ange Postecoglou remained closer to the halfway line after the final whistle, having encouraged the players to go over to the away fans, he kept his distance.
However, some supporters defended Postecoglou, blaming the negativity of other fans.
One fan wrote on X: "Oh, no Ange cupped his ears bc of this chant?!? Whatever will our childish fan base do????"
Meanwhile, Spurs midfielder James Maddison acknowledged the fans` disappointment, stating they were right to be annoyed.
He told Sky Sports: "It's happened one too many times this season. Our fans are rightly disappointed.
"We're just trying to find the answers – to why we've lost so many tight games this season.
"None of the fans want to hear what we've got to say at the minute. We've just got to try to be better."
Asked about the fans` anger, Maddison responded: "Yeah, and to be fair they've got every right to be.
"I think it's still important that we go over and show our appreciation for them, even though we're not getting a nice reception.
"That's why I still walk over there – I think they deserve that. It's not easy to go over… but they pay their money, they travel all over for us and we're just as disappointed as they are."
Despite the current situation, Maddison remained optimistic, saying: "It can still be a special season if we lift silverware. We're two fixtures away from a European final."
