Tottenham Hotspur hopes for a Top 4 finish, but some fans would rather not have it than help their city rivals Arsenal win the Premier League title.
The Spurs lost to now league leaders Manchester City, 0-2, and they are now five points behind fourth-placer Aston Villa.
Only one Match Week remains, meaning that Tottenham's dream of a Champions League appearance has completely faded.
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Manchester City were the favorites to win the match given their squad strength, but manager Ange Postecoglou is not sold on the idea that team supporters, who he thought pushed them to many comeback wins before, decided they would rather take a loss.
He thought the team's atmosphere over the last few days was negative.
"The foundations are really fragile," the Australian coach said after the loss.
"The last 48 hours have shown me that. It's inside the club, outside the club. Outside, inside, everywhere. It's been an interesting exercise. It's just my observations, mate."
The game remained in their hands until the restart for the second half when Erling Haaland converted an assist by Kevin De Bruyne in the 51st minute.
The club played without Yves Bissouma and Richarlison, although Son Heung-min tried to keep them in the match.
A draw was still possible, but then they surrendered another goal when Haaland scored in the 91st minute to record a brace.
Postecoglou was bewildered that many fans at home would cheer for another team rather than cheer their own to get a UCL spot.
He insisted, though, that he does not want to control the supporters' emotions but would rather have their cheers, especially in important moments.
"They're allowed to express themselves any way they want. But yeah, when we've got late winners in games it's because the crowd's helped us," he explained.
With the loss, City leaped over Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table with one Match Week to go.
Tottenham will have to reassess the club again in preparation for the next season. Their last match will be against bottom club Sheffield United.
Newcastle United is two game weeks behind, and if Spurs lose to Sheffield and the Magpies win both, Postecoglou will have to say goodbye to a Europa League appearance for next season.
Tottenham curse
The Spurs have enjoyed some Champions League appearances in the last five years.
Their most special one was reaching the Champions League 2018-2019 finals and almost winning it all before they bowed to Liverpool.
Almost is what their story is all about.
The last time they won a trophy was in the 2007-2008 season when they bagged the League Cup.
They haven't won a Premier League trophy since the 1960-1961 season.
Postecoglou, 57, was brought in at the start of the 2024 season last year.
He remains adamant that he can bring success to the team and has more or less three more seasons to do that, as he signed with the club for four years.
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