Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens has revealed that he attempted to contact Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou following his controversial remarks after Orient’s 1-0 defeat to Stockport.
The 44-year-old made headlines when he referenced Postecoglou during a post-match interview, saying: “I’m not going to make excuses, I’m not Ange Postecoglou,” in response to a question about injuries affecting his team’s performance.
Postecoglou Mockery
The comment was seen as a mockery of Postecoglou, who has been under considerable pressure as Spurs have struggled with injuries this season. Wellens quickly realised his error and issued an apology, stating that he was “deeply embarrassed” by the remarks.
Despite Wellens’ efforts to resolve the situation, he was unable to speak directly with Postecoglou. Wellens had tried to contact Tottenham’s staff on Saturday night, but with the Spurs team preparing for an important match against Brentford on Sunday, the call went unanswered.
Wellens explained the situation further, saying:
“I haven’t [spoken to him]. I’ve tried to. But they had an important game. It was Saturday night, I tried to call someone at Spurs, but they had an important game on the Sunday. They won, which I was pleased about. I’ve obviously apologised and I think that’s the matter closed now.”
Spurs Respect
Wellens made it clear that Tottenham, as a football club, holds great respect from him, and he expressed hope that the relationship between Orient and Spurs would continue. He added: “Tottenham’s a brilliant football club and I hope they keep him. Jamie and Josh [Keeley and Donley] have been absolutely fantastic for this football club and we hope we can keep this relationship going. I want Tottenham to do well. They’re on our doorstep and we want to keep that relationship.”
“I made a mistake, I’ve apologised for it. Tottenham’s a brilliant football club and I hope they keep him. Jamie and Josh have been absolutely fantastic for this football club and we hope we can keep this relationship going. I want Tottenham to do well,” said Wellens.
Writer’s View
Richie Wellens’ public apology highlights a rare moment of humility in football. His attempt to reach out to Postecoglou shows a genuine desire to mend fences after a careless comment. While the incident is now behind him, it serves as a reminder of the pressures managers face, especially when trying to balance humour and professionalism in the spotlight. Wellens’ respect for Tottenham and the players on loan at Leyton Orient suggests that this is a mistake he won’t repeat, and he hopes to continue fostering positive ties between the two clubs.
