Harry Kane informed Ange Postecoglou on his inaugural day as Tottenham manager that he had intentions of departing the club. Postecoglou empathetically stated that Spurs supporters are entitled to grieve his forthcoming departure, as the transfer to Bayern Munich for a whopping £100m marks the termination of his impressive 19-year tenure with the club.
Postecoglou revealed that he had a straightforward discussion with Harry Kane when they met a month ago, where both parties were candid and transparent about their thoughts and intentions.
"You can tell that he had already made a firm decision to leave if the clubs reached an agreement.
Both him and I were focused on finalizing his future before the first game, and there hasn't been any event that led me to believe that there could be any other outcome."
When asked if he attempted to persuade Kane to remain, Postecoglou responded by saying he saw no purpose in doing so. He believed that anything he could have said would not have mattered, considering Kane had already been present here for the past month.
Postecoglou acknowledged that he could have presented an elaborate plan, but he was confident that Kane had likely heard similar promises in the past. He clarified that he had no intention of making a plea for Kane's loyalty, but rather he aimed to establish a connection and foster a deeper understanding between them in the upcoming month.
"If there was no agreement, he was content to remain. He did not impose it on me; his approach was highly professional. I made an effort to treat him with the respect befitting a player of his caliber."
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Postecoglou: Fans have right to mourn Kane exit
Kane originally joined Tottenham's youth academy in 2004 and has since netted an impressive total of 280 goals for the club's senior team. Nevertheless, despite his remarkable contributions, it appears that the England captain's time with Spurs will conclude without securing any notable trophies.Although the talented forward guided Spurs to the Champions League final in 2019 and also made appearances in two League Cup finals, Postecoglou asserts that Kane's inability to capture silverware with the club should not overshadow his remarkable accomplishments.
"That's a little bit unfair on Harry as well," said Postecoglou when asked about Kane ending his spell without a trophy.
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Kane is bringing a 19-year spell at Tottenham to an end
"They have come close on a few occasions, but in this industry, that is the harsh reality. Unless you secure a championship title, such setbacks are often held against you. However, it is important to acknowledge that his efforts should not be diminished.
"On a day like today, it is only fitting that our fans feel a sense of grief and sadness, even though the club has not achieved much success. He has truly been a hero to them."
Again, his departure does not alter the vision of what I bring to this football club. It is quite evident that a club of this caliber must find a method to achieve success. There are various approaches to accomplish that, and I have a distinct one which I will concentrate on. This has been my focus throughout my career – playing in a particular manner – and it remains my challenge as well.
How do Spurs replace Kane?
Postecoglou highlighted in his press briefing that despite Kane's departure, his commitment to rebuilding Spurs remains unaffected since he had anticipated the transfer to take place.
Nonetheless, the Australian conceded that finding a direct replacement for the departing English captain is not feasible.
"I believe there is no exact substitute for Harry," he commented. "We have been anticipating this scenario for quite some time. It doesn't require extensive probing to recognize that this was bound to occur. Our preparations have always factored in this eventuality.
"This development does not significantly alter our objectives of shaping the team. The squad is in motion, and certain players may seek opportunities elsewhere. We still have three weeks remaining in the transfer window. This is not solely due to Harry's departure; it has always been part of our plan."
When asked about potential replacements for Kane, Postecoglou dismissed the idea, saying, "It's not as simple as that. It's not like my wife providing me with a grocery list for the kids' bread and milk."
He continued, "We were aware of this situation. Our focus is on getting ready for the Brentford game. There won't be any new arrivals before Sunday."
Postecoglou added that James Maddison, who was one of the Spurs boss' first signings at the club, could help spread the goals around the team.
Brentford
Tottenham Hotspur
Sunday 13th August 1:00pm
Kick off 2:00pm
"You can't replace [Kane] with one player and the one place I feel the club needed was midfield threat. And that's what Maddison brings.
If Harry is absent, we aim to distribute [the goals] among other players, and Maddison fulfills that role perfectly. His dedication in training and whole-hearted commitment to the club align with our preferred style of play.
Catch Tottenham's inaugural match after the departure of Harry Kane as they take on Brentford, live on We this Super Sunday. The game kicks off at 2pm.
Jamie Redknapp on the Essential Football Podcast shared his sympathy for Ange Postecoglou, who is currently responsible for preparing his team for the upcoming season. However, he expressed concern as the star player is set to depart just hours before the season officially begins. Redknapp believes that this situation could have been resolved earlier, possibly a couple of months or even a month ago, in order to give Postecoglou the best chance for success.It seems like the person in charge of making decisions, Daniel Levy, is not considering the team's best interests. When a new manager comes in, it is important to provide them with everything they need to have a strong chance of rejoining the top four. While the deal may have resulted in some additional money, that doesn't necessarily mean it is the right move for the team.
Regarding Kane, I believe we often overlook the true magnitude of Bayern Munich in this country. It stands as a formidable force, ranking among the largest clubs on a global scale. Undoubtedly, he will receive royal treatment there. The reasons behind his decision are crystal clear to me.
He will have the remarkable opportunity to compete for the Champions League title. Being part of such an immense club presents him with a golden chance to secure some prestigious trophies. It is an unequivocal display of his unwavering ambition.
"It's a tremendous blow for the devoted supporters of the Spurs, as their adored star is set to depart just a day prior to the commencement of the season. The departure of Harry Kane will undoubtedly leave an irreplaceable void."
Redknapp: Spurs should have done Kane deal earlier to give Ange time to adapt
Who else will bid farewell this summer before the transfer window shuts down at 11pm on September 1 in England and midnight in Scotland?Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on We' digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on We News.