Tensions flared between Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham supporters during Thursday night's 1-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The London derby ended in disappointment for Spurs as Enzo Fernandez scored the only goal of the match.
However, it was Postecoglou's controversial gesture towards the away end that has sparked further discord between the Australian manager and the travelling fans.
The incident occurred after what appeared to be an equaliser from substitute Pape Matar Sarr, whose goal was later disallowed.
Ange Postecoglou stayed away from the Tottenham fans at full-time
Reuters
The flashpoint began when Postecoglou substituted Lucas Bergvall, who had been one of Spurs' better performers at Stamford Bridge.
The decision to withdraw the young Swede after 64 minutes prompted immediate backlash from the away end.
"You don't know what you're doing," chanted the travelling supporters, clearly unimpressed with their manager's tactical choice.
The fans' frustration was particularly pointed as Bergvall had been one of the few Tottenham players showing any quality during what was proving to be a difficult London derby.
When Sarr fired the ball into the Chelsea net, Postecoglou immediately turned towards the Tottenham supporters who had questioned his decision-making.
The manager was spotted cupping his ear in a defiant gesture towards the away end, seemingly challenging those who had criticised his substitution moments earlier.
It appeared to be a pointed response that said, "You're not complaining now," directed at the fans who had voiced their disapproval.
The gesture revealed how deeply the fans' chants had affected the Australian boss during the tense London derby.
Ange Postecoglou was seen making a gesture to the Tottenham fans
PA
However, the situation quickly turned awkward for Postecoglou when the goal was subsequently ruled out.
After a lengthy VAR review, referee Craig Pawson was sent to the pitchside monitor and disallowed Sarr's strike for a foul on Moises Caicedo.
The manager's premature celebration and pointed gesture towards his own supporters suddenly backfired.
What had momentarily seemed like vindication for Postecoglou's substitution decision instead left him, as one observer put it, "with egg on his face" in front of the very fans he had just confronted.
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Ange Postecoglou was met with 'you don't know what you're doing' chants from the Spurs fans
Reuters
The incident comes at a particularly sensitive time for Postecoglou, whose future at Tottenham is already under scrutiny.
Clashing with supporters will likely only intensify questions about his position at the club.
The relationship between the Australian manager and Spurs fans appears increasingly strained following this public display of frustration.
With results not going his way and tactical decisions being openly questioned by the travelling support, Postecoglou faces a challenging period to rebuild trust with the Tottenham faithful.
