Tottenham’s Ange Postecoglou Hits Out at Critics Fearing Europa League Win
According to a report from Sky Sports, Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has criticised the team’s critics, suggesting they are trying to diminish the team’s achievements because they fear Spurs will win the Europa League.
Spurs secured a 5-1 aggregate win over Bodo/Glimt to set up an all-English final with Manchester United in Bilbao on May 21. For both sides, the final offers the chance to celebrate at the end of difficult seasons. Tottenham and United are languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League but would qualify for the Champions League with a Europa League triumph.
In reaction to comments made by Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, who said that winning the Europa League would still not make his side’s season a success, Postecoglou hit back at his detractors. "Why do I care what Manchester United think? Ask the Manchester United manager why he says that. I’ve said all along this is important," said Postecoglou, as quoted by Sky Sports.
"What’s happening right now is people are fearing that. That it actually might happen. And let’s see if we can tear it down and diminish it somehow by saying it’s been a poor season and we don’t deserve this or that and comparing us to Manchester United. Maybe if we’d had Manchester United’s success I’d have a different view."
As reported by Sky Sports, Postecoglou also reflected on the challenge of managing a team that has not won a trophy in 17 years. "But I came into this role…I could have been sitting here in fifth position and I guarantee the commentary would have been: ‘That’s great Ange but this club needs to win something.’ Of course it’s massive. You have to frame it against what this club has been through over the last 15-20 years, what the supporters have been through."
In a separate reaction to Amorim’s comments, the Manchester United boss said that the position of the coaches is quite similar, with both teams struggling in the league. "The context is different, but we are struggling, both of us. So I don’t know what is going to happen. That is the good thing and the bad thing with this team, I never know," as reported by Sky Sports.
Postecoglou also dismissed concerns about Tottenham’s league form, saying that it has no bearing on their achievement of reaching the Europa League final. "We understand our league form hasn’t been great. We understand the struggles we’ve had. A lot of them are because of the situation we’ve been in. But how that diminishes the achievement of getting to a final… This club and others have finished first, second or third in the Premier League and haven’t made finals. I couldn’t care less."
The Europa League final between Tottenham and Manchester United takes place at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain on Wednesday, May 21, with kick-off at 8pm. As noted by Sky Sports, a win for either team would not only bring a much-needed trophy but also a place in the Champions League.
Tottenham’s win over Bodo/Glimt was a tactical masterclass, with Spurs playing a more conservative game to limit their opponents’ chances. Postecoglou praised his team’s adaptability, saying: "I love winning. That’s all I’ve done my whole career. People are dismissive of it, that’s fine. I love winning and I love the way the boys clearly understood what we needed to do tonight."
The final will be a closely contested match, with both teams looking to end their season on a high note. As reported by Sky Sports, Postecoglou is confident that his team has earned the right to be in the final, having beaten teams who will likely be in the Champions League next year on their road to the final. The stage is set for a thrilling encounter between two teams looking to make history.
