Kulusevski vows to fight for Tottenham manager Postecoglou and insists ‘he is right man’ for job

Under-pressure Spurs coach goes into Europa League clash with Elfsborg having won once in last 11 English top-flight games

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has seen his team drop down to 15th in the Premier League. PA

Dejan Kulusevski has insisted that under- pressure manager Ange Postecoglou is the right man to guide Tottenham Hotspur out of their current slump.

Spurs are going through a disastrous Premier League run of one win in 11 games that has seen the North London club drop down to 15th in the table, eight points above the relegation zone.

On Sunday, Postecoglou saw his team beaten 2-1 at home by a Leicester City side that had lost their previous seven league games and were sitting second bottom in the standings.

Home fans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium made their feelings clear, venting their fury at chairman Daniel Levy throughout the game and greeting the final whistle with a barrage of boos.

And while Levy bore the brunt of supporters' anger, Postecoglou is also under the spotlight with Spurs having managed to collect just five points out of a possible 33.

But Swedish midfielder Kulusevski, speaking ahead of Thursday's Uefa Europa League game at home to Elfsborg, believes there have been enough bright spots this season to justify keeping faith in the manager.

“We had games where we showed perfect football, football that not many teams can play,” he said in Wednesday's press conference.

“We played beautiful games against [Manchester] United, City away 4-0. I think he is the right man.

“We want to win for him … I have to fight for him because I believe in that football too. I think he is the right man.

“Opinions change, I don't listen to anyone. I know the truth, I see the truth from my side. It's not important what people say, it never has been.

“[Our] League [form] is very bad and the game on Sunday was tough to lose. [But] you have to stay clear-minded and focus on the goals.”

Spurs are currently sixth out of 36 teams in the revamped Europa League group-stage and victory against the Swedish club will guarantee them a place in the last 16 with the top eight qualifying automatically.

Finishing between ninth and 24th means taking part in a two-legged play-off for a place in the knockout stages.

Tottenham are also in the League Cup semi-finals, having won the first leg at home to Liverpool 1-0, and the fourth round of the FA Cup, where they travel to Aston Villa.

But while the team is still going strong in three cup competitions, it is league form that ultimately could spell the end of Postecolglou's reign.

When asked if this was the most he has had to suffer in his career, Kulusevski added: “It is not suffering. I tell you in the league, losing that many games that is suffering. It's very hard on me losing games.

“But I still have to see the bigger picture, I think we can do amazing things because we are left in three cups and that is where my focus is.

“It's a balance. It is suffering but at the same time I am still positive. I still see the opportunities.”

Postecoglou regularly points at the club's nightmare injury list as the main reason for their current problems and has made clear new signings are needed to give the squad a boost in the current transfer window.

But the former Glasgow Celtic manager was unable to provide good news on that front with the January window set to close on February 3.

“I would be disingenuous if I said anything other than, right now, nothing is imminent,” he admitted.

“That doesn't mean that opportunities aren't being explored. Traditionally, the last few days of any window tend to be frenetic and I expect us to be involved in that.

“Does that mean anything will get concluded? I can't commit to that. I'm a bit of a distance from it but the information and dialogue I have is that we are exploring all the opportunities to bring some help in for the players.”

There was some mixed news on the injury front ahead of Thursday's game with defender Cristian Romero and midfielder James Maddison unavailable, with the latter out for two to three weeks with a calf strain.

But centre-back Micky van de Ven, plus midfielders Yves Bissouma and Pape Sarr are available for selection.

“Cristian is still a bit of a slow burner. We are mindful that his injury was just a bit different and he's still got to tick a few boxes,” said Postecoglou.

“Micky [van de Ven] is good to go so we will try to get him some minutes tomorrow. He has a good week to 10 days' training and he's in good condition so he's fine.”