Ange Postecoglou receives apology after manager ruthlessly mocks Spurs boss

Ange Postecoglou

Ange Postecoglou was brutally mocked by Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens (Image: Getty)

Ange Postecoglou has received an apology from ‘embarrassed’ Leyton Orient boss Richie Wellens. The Tottenham manager was accused of making excuses for his side’s woeful form by Wellens on Saturday.

Orient share an excellent relationship with Spurs and Wellens admitted that he risked putting that in jeopardy. It came after the 44-year-old reacted to a 1-0 League One defeat against Stockport.

Wellens’ side have suffered from several injuries recently. Defenders Sean Clare and Omar Beckles have been particularly influential absentees.

But the Orient boss said afterwards: “I’m not Ange Postecoglou, keep using it as an excuse.”

The comment went down badly with Spurs fans on social media. Forward Jamie Donley and goalkeeper Josh Keeley are on loan with the third-tier side.

Later in the evening, Orient released a statement on behalf of Wellens, which read: “After today’s game, I was asked about the injuries within our squad and, without thinking, I made a stupid comment about Tottenham Hotspur.

“That comment was brought to my attention later in the evening and having watched my interview back I am deeply embarrassed and regret what I said.

“At Leyton Orient, we have a strong relationship with Tottenham Hotspur and it was never my intention to say anything that would jeopardise that.

“Their manager, Ange Postecoglou, is a world-class coach and I want to apologise for my comments and wish Spurs all the very best for the second half of the season.”

Richie Wellens

Richie Wellens referenced Ange Postecoglou making 'excuses' when discussing Leyton Orient's injuries (Image: Getty)

Postecoglou is under mounting pressure to improve Spurs’ results amid a sweeping injury crisis. The latest victim was Radu Dragusin in the 3-0 Europa League victory over Elfsborg on Thursday.

Spurs are 16th in the Premier League and sit only seven points above the relegation zone.

Postecoglou summed up the injury crisis on Friday as: "Every time I've seen the light at the end of the tunnel, it's usually been an oncoming train. We've had to deal with a real extreme situation, which unfortunately once we got hit with what we got hit with, it is then very hard to rectify on the run.

"We seem to be losing players as we get them back. We don't want to lose anyone else, but again, best laid plans. We obviously tried to shield Radu last night, because he had played a lot of football. He comes on and he gets injured.”