Spurs' fifth-place finish on players, 'not anyone else': Son Heung-min

Son also said he has "no idea" whether the KFA will appoint a permanent manager from overseas or within Korea and has "no contact with the federation."

Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min attends a press conference at AAMI Park in Melbourne on Tuesday ahead of a friendly match against Newcastle United. [AFP/YONHAP]

Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min said Tuesday that the club’s performance in the 2023-24 Premier League was on the players, “not anyone else,” after ending their season in fifth place on a 3-0 win over relegated Sheffield United.

“Players has to take also responsibility for being step up and being disciplined,” the 31-year-old forward said during a press conference ahead of Spurs’ friendly against fellow Premier League side Newcastle United in Melbourne, Australia. “I think where we finished is because of us, not anyone else. So we need to think about it for next season. We can’t make the same mistake.”

Spurs started the season strong, hitting the top of the table last fall after going unbeaten for 10 straight league games. But they saw their fortunes turn in November, going a month without another win in the league — until thumping Newcastle 4-1 in December, with Son scoring a goal and recording two assists.

While Spurs' fifth-place finale denied them a return to the top-tier UEFA Champions League, it secured them a spot in the second-tier Europa League. And it was a better showing than their previous campaign, which Spurs ended in eighth place and out of a spot in any European tournament, including the third-tier Conference.

“Not having European football this year probably hurt us a little bit in terms of our development,” manager Ange Postecoglou said during the Tuesday press conference. “So, yeah this club deserves to be in Europe, and hopefully we can make an impact next year.”

Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min, center, kicks the ball during a training session at AAMI Park in Melbourne, Australia on Tuesday. [EPA/YONHAP]

The friendly in Melbourne is a homecoming for Postecoglou, who played for the Australian national team and managed it from 2013 to 2017 after helming a handful of clubs in Australia’s professional A-League.

Troves of Korean fans are also expected to turn up at Melbourne Cricket Ground.

“It’s always great to have the fans in the stadium, especially Korean fans who are everywhere, home and away,” Son said. “I’m just really, really grateful and I hope we’re gonna make a good game, an entertaining game."

The match against Newcastle is Spurs’ last game before a month-long break.

It will still be a busy June for Son, who also captains the Korean national team, as he rejoins Korea for two World Cup qualifiers against Singapore and China.

The Korea Football Association (KFA) on Monday tapped Kim Do-hoon to lead Korea through those two games as interim caretaker, further prolonging a protracted search process for a new permanent manager, a post that has been vacant since February.

“I have no contact with the federation,” the national team veteran said with a slight chuckle, responding to a question about the KFA’s search process and if he had a preference for a manager.

“So it’s not my job to do. My job is playing on the pitch. Look, if it takes time, it takes time. I think we need to find the right coach to bring us success. There is no perfect decision, but I think we gotta make sure that we are bringing the right man to bring the success.”

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou, left, and captain Son Heung-min attend a press conference at AAMI Park in Melbourne on Tuesday ahead of their friendly match against Newcastle United. [AFP/YONHAP]

Son also said he has “no idea” whether Korea’s football governing body will bring in a boss from overseas or stick to their domestic talent pool — a proposition that sparked controversy among Korean football fans who said hiring from the K League could disrupt the ongoing season, which began in March.

“I have no idea, to be honest. Look, there is always benefits, also un-benefits. If we take a Korean manager, he knows the Korean culture but also missing a little bit of experience. But this decision, the Korean federation will make it, and as a player we just gotta focus on the pitch.”

When asked whether he had any plans for his time in Melbourne, Son said he was looking forward to seeing his friend, Tolgay Arslan — “one my best friends, actually” — whom he played with at the Bundesliga’s Hamburger SV before signing with Spurs in 2015.

“But look, I mean, this is the last game of the season, so I want to go home as well,” Son said. “Soon as possible, as soon as we finish the game.”

While Tottenham beat Newcastle 4-1 at home in December, Newcastle returned the favor in April, thumping the visitors 4-0 and setting off a four-game losing streak for Spurs, who fell out of the top four and were knocked from a Champions League spot.

Tottenham are set to kick off against Newcastle on Wednesday at 7:45 p.m. in Melbourne.

BY MARY YANG [mary.yang@joongang.co.kr]