Ange Postecoglou did not hold back when questioned about whether winning the Europa League would save Tottenham’s season, with the Spurs boss remarking that many are now extremely worried that his side might actually lift the trophy.
Postecoglou doubled down on his comments about always winning a trophy in his second season, despite being ridiculed for that statement earlier this season.
Some pundits even accused Postecoglou of being arrogant, but he now stands just one game away from delivering on his promise and ending Tottenham’s 17-year trophy drought.
The Lilywhites will take on Man United in an all-Premier League Europa League final in San Mames in Bilbao, and the Tottenham head coach has now set the record straight on how big an achievement it will be for his side to lift the trophy.
Ange Postecoglou hits back at Matt Law in post-match press conference
The Telegraph’s Matt Law suggested on social media not too long ago that it would be “ludicrous” if Tottenham qualify for the Champions League while Nottingham Forest miss out.
The Tottenham head coach already gave a fitting reply to that statement two weeks ago, with Postecoglou blasting those trying to downplay Spurs’ Europa League journey.
The Australian has now sent a clear message to Law in his post-match press conference after the second leg against Bodo/Glimt, clearly not liking the implication of the Telegraph journalist’s question.
When Law asked Ange Postecoglou (via Football.London): “United have constantly said that this competition won’t save their season, would it save Tottenham’s season or is it different?”, the Spurs boss responded: “Why do I care what Man United think? Why is that relevant to me? Ask the Manchester United manager why he said that. I’ve said all along that this is important.”
Law then said: “To rephrase, what does it mean for Tottenham’s season?” and Postecoglou quipped: “Well.. to be fair, you know better than me. You’ve followed this club for longer than I have. What do you think a trophy would do for this club?”
Law then sheepishly responded: “I think it would be massive”, before Postecoglou concluded: “Exactly. That’s exactly right. So the question answers itself, it doesn’t need me to… but what’s happening now is people are fearing that. That it actually might happen, and let’s see how we can tear it down somehow and diminish it somehow by saying it’s been a poor season and we don’t deserve this or we don’t deserve that.
“Or somehow comparing us to Man United. Maybe if we had Man United’s success, then maybe I’d have a different view. But I came into this role, you know better than me, I could have been sitting here at exactly the same time in fifth position, and I can guarantee that the commentary around me, well, that’s great Ange, but this club needs to win something’ That’s exactly what everyone would be saying. So, of course, it’s massive.
“Of course it is, because you have to frame it against what this club has been through over the last 15 or 20 years and what the supporters have been through. Man United have got their own journey to go on. Maybe if they go 15 years without winning something, they’ll change their perspective on things as well.”
Watch the full exchange below:
Tottenham are already being written off before the final
Given Spurs’ history of falling short in the final hurdle over the last couple of decades, many are already writing them off, even though they have beaten the Manchester club three times across all competitions all season.
Jamie Carragher said there is no chance Tottenham beat Man United in the final in Bilbao, given the history of the two clubs.
Paul Scholes also feels that the odds are in Man United’s favour in the final, due to the club’s history of winning trophies, but there is no doubt that Postecoglou will once again relish the challenge of proving his critics wrong.