Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou said mental health issues are often hidden from players, following Richarlison’s bombshell interview about his depression.

• Ange Postecoglou believes many footballers hide mental health issues
• The Spurs manager also defended a proposed trip to Australia in a friendly against Newcastle
• Forest coach Stephen Reid should be banned from the touchline for the rest of the season after vicious abuse of referee – listen to It’s All Kicking Off

Mental health issues are common among footballers, but it’s all hidden behind a curtain, says Ange Postecoglou after Tottenham’s Richarlison bravely revealed his struggles. said Friday.

The Brazilian gave a memorable interview during his international break in which he revealed that he had been suffering from depression after the 2022 World Cup, saying he wanted to “give up” and that his therapist told him “to save my life”. “It was,” he said.

Postecoglou praised Richarlison on Friday before being asked if his words had an impact on Tottenham as a club.

“No, I’ll tell you why, because it’s not that unusual,” the Spurs manager said before Saturday’s game against Luton. “It’s not my experience. They’re human. But for the most part, it’s always done behind closed doors.

“Football is no different[to any other industry]but we have to put up a strong curtain and everything is hidden behind it. I think this was shocking because I had never come out before.

“But I can guarantee you that there are issues that players and stakeholders in our industry, if not more of society, are dealing with. Bank balances and fame are not going to protect us from that. ”

Meanwhile, Postecoglou defended Tottenham’s decision to play a friendly against Newcastle at Australia’s 100,000-capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground just three days after the end of the season.

Asked if the entire squad would travel for the match, including England’s James Maddison and other players scheduled to play in Euro 2024, Postecoglou said: “Everyone who is fit.” Literally, as soon as the last game is over, we leave and take everyone who is fit.

“Gareth (Southgate) is going to be a club coach one day and he’s going to have a different perspective. “Whether you’re a club coach or a national team coach, this is the world we live in. This is the world in which we live. ”