Tottenham boss on mental health: common yet hidden, Richarlison's interview

Mental health problems are common among players in football but it is all hidden behind a curtain, Ange Postecoglou said on Friday after Tottenham's Richarlison courageously revealed his struggles.

The Brazilian conducted a striking interview during the international break in which he disclosed how he suffered from depression after the 2022 World Cup, saying he wanted to 'give up' and that a therapist ‘saved my life’.

Postecoglou praised Richarlison on Friday before he was asked whether those words had impacted Tottenham as a club.

‘No, and I’ll tell you why: because it’s not that uncommon,' the Spurs boss said ahead of taking on Luton on Saturday. 'Not in my experience. They’re human beings. But for the most part, it’s always dealt behind closed doors.

‘Football is no different (to any other industry) 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, no greater but no lesser part of society, 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.’

Meanwhile, Postecoglou defended Tottenham's decision to stage a friendly against Newcastle, just three days after the season finishes at the 100,000-capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia.

Asked if all of his squad would be travelling for that fixture, including those set for Euro 2024 such as England's James Maddison, Postecoglou said: ‘Everyone who’s fit. Literally, we leave straight after the last game and we’ll be taking everyone who’s fit.

'I’m sure Gareth (Southgate) will be a club coach one