Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou says he and other Premier League managers deserve “a little more respect”.
The 59-year-old has been critcised for his tactics during an inconsistent campaign where he has stuck to his principles of high intensity attacking football.
Spurs were on a winless run of five matches in all competitions until back-to-back victories over Southampton in the Premier League and Manchester United in the Carabao Cup.
They were 3-0 up against United with less than half an hour to play in the quarter-final before having to come through a chaotic finale to seal a 4-3 win.
“You kind of feel that 26 years of hard graft [as a manager] should get you a little more respect and I’m not the only one,” said Postecoglou.
“I have seen it happen to [Aston Villa’s former Arsenal manager] Unai [Emery] and Nuno [Espirito Santo] when he was here [as Tottenham boss].”
Postecoglou previously said being Spurs manager was harder than being the Prime Minister because of the short-term thinking involved.
Tottenham are 10th in the Premier League, despite only the top two sides, Liverpool and Chelsea, having a better goal difference.
Postecoglou added: “I get that not everyone will be a fan of the way I do things and even the way I play people will have different opinions.
“That’s normal, that’s healthy but some of it has been pretty dismissive.”
Spurs host Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday and will face them in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot said Postecoglou’s side are a “joy to watch” and he hopes Spurs can win a trophy as reward for their attacking football.
Postecoglu responds to Carragher criticism
Slot’s praise was in contrast to former Liverpool player Jamie Carragher, who said on Sky Sports’ coverage of Thursday’s game that Postecoglou’s side “never change how they play no matter what the game state is”.
Carragher added: “I don’t think football should be played the same from minute 1-90.”
In response, Postecoglou said: “People tell me he likes me so that’s a good thing. They say, ‘did you hear what he said? But he likes you as a person,’. So, that’s important to me.
“It’s all valid but I don’t need validation from anybody to do what I do.
“Whether you agree with my approach or not, there is validity in both and I don’t have an issue with that. I love the fact people are talking about our games and analysing our games.”
Postecoglou said he accepts pundits are paid to have opinions but believes some of the criticism is “offensive” towards him and he will “call it out” when appropriate.
He added: “Maybe I don’t take things as seriously as people want me to and I’m fairly dismissive of them, but that’s all right.
“I love my life and I’ll keep doing what I’m doing.”