CURTAIN RAISERS
Ange: Football puts up the shutters on mental health
BY PAUL BROWN
ANGE POSTECOGLOU says Tottenham star Richarlison is not the only footballer dealing with serious mental health problems.
But the Spurs boss reckons football puts up a curtain to hide the kind of issues the Brazil striker recently opened up on.
Postecoglou has not spoken to Richarlison, 26, yet about the tearful interview in which he revealed he considered quitting.
But the Aussie admitted: “It’s not that uncommon. It’s not, not in my experience. They’re human beings.
“But for the most part it’s always dealt with behind closed doors.
There is so much that goes on at football clubs.
“In every other industry you’ve got people struggling with things. Football is no different.
“But we’ve got to put a strong curtain up and it all gets hidden behind there.
“I guess it’s striking because players or managers or people involved in football haven’t come out publicly before.
“But I can assure you, there are problems that players and people involved in our industry deal with.
“The amount of money you have in the bank balance or your fame doesn’t shield you from that.”
Richarlison could face another player today in
Luton’s Ross Barkley
(right), who has often spoken out about his own mental health issues.
Barkley currently seems to have his demons under control, and is playing some of the best football of his career for the Hatters. Postecoglou (left) said: “He’s had an unbelievable season. It’s a credit to him. Because sometimes, particularly when players have been at the highest level, people can write their demise pretty quickly. “I’m sure, whether it’s Ross or Richy, they will be the first to admit they’ve shared dressing rooms with guys who have been through as difficult a time. We just don’t know about it.
“When players do speak out, or bring it into a public space, they’re under no obligation. These are private things that all of us go through. When players in particular come out, it helps because then other people can see that there is a way back from that.” Postecoglou also suggested that Spurs do not want Cristian Romero playing for Argentina at this summer’s Olympics.
Defender Romero, who has had injury issues this season, recently expressed a desire to play at both the Olympics and the Copa America.
But with the latter starting in June and the former in July, Postecoglou is not keen.
He added: “The Olympics is a little bit of a different issue because club’s aren’t obliged to let players go to the Olympics.
“From that perspective, we have a little bit more of a say in it than other internationals.
“We’ll be looking at making sure there is a balance there. No one has spoken to me about it.
“But I guess pretty strong advice would be with the Copa America at the same time and hopefully us gearing up for a big season next year, I’d be suggesting rest is a better policy.”