Europa League Final: Tottenham win as Postecoglou claims first trophy in 17 years will transform club
Following 17 years’ trophy drought, Tottenham Hotspurs are finally crowned Europa League champions for the first time.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou reacts to his team’s victory over local rivals, Manchester United, in the final of the UEFA Europa League as he claims first trophy in 17 years will change the club.
“I understand why it would be difficult for a club like this to buy into one person’s vision,” he said in his press conference after the game.
“I remember even when I signed, the club and even Daniel said, ‘we went after winners, it didn’t work and now we’ve got Ange.’ But mate, I’m a winner.
“I have been a serial winner my whole career. It’s what I have done more than anything else.
“Obviously the way things have gone in the league, people are right to be concerned about, but I don’t think that’s a true reflection of where we are at.
“We’ve got a really young group of players and you can talk to them about success and what it means, but until they feel it, it doesn’t become real.
“I’ve got no doubt that all those boys – having this feeling – will want it again. To get it again they’re going to have to make similar sacrifices.
Europa League Final: Tottenham Win
“They’ve climbed the mountain now. They know what it takes to get to where we are. I think that does, it accelerates the opportunities to build a team who can be successful and play at a high standard for years to come.
“As I said yesterday, I still feel there’s a lot of work to be done, I think that’s quite obvious, but not as much work as people may think.
“People can bang on about 20 league defeats and where we are, but they’re missing the point of what we’re trying to build, or what I’m trying to do anyway. I really feel that this can be a great platform for us to kick on.”
Europa League success is the first silverware the Spurs have won since lifting FA Cup in 2008, and it will give them automatic qualification to play in the Champions League next season, which, in turn, would boost the club’s revenue.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou says all season that he always wins silverware in the second season at a club−and at Tottenham, no exception is made. These were his words…….
Remarking his second-season comment, Postecoglou said during an interview with TNT Sports: “It wasn’t me boasting. It was me making a declaration.
I believed it. Finishing third wasn’t going to change this football club. Us winning something changes this football club.
Europa League Final: Tottenham Win
“I’m not afraid to declare that. If I felt short then I was happy to cop it. That was my ambition. I could say that.
“I was prepared to wear it. People kept reminding me of it but that was only because there was an opportunity to win something.
“It’s how the club perceives itself. People are quick to take shots at the club, who haven’t defended themselves as much as it should.
“I understand that as people have been here a long time and haven’t had anything to lean on. I’m hoping this does.
“There’s no reason why they can’t go into next year believing they can win again and building a team that strives to win things.
“If you see yourself in that way, irrespective of what the noise is, that’s what the great clubs do. They expect success as they’ve had it. Hopefully this takes the club forward.”
It remains to be seen if Postecoglou still remains at Tottenham next season, guarding them into the Champions League.
Various reports from media have suggested that the enigmatic coach could be axed during the summer following a disappointing domestic campaign, in which Spurs will finish 17th on the EPL log.
Europa League Final: Tottenham Win
However, the Australian tactician was quick to emphasise on how he would want to build on his European success, adding: “I’ve had such a laser focus on winning this. Whatever happens, happens.
“We’re still building this team. It’s a young team, we need to add experience. My thought process has been about building a team that can be successful for five or six years.
“But I’m the manager – that decision is not in my hands. It doesn’t affect me. You would have seen that in the build-up. All I care about is [the medal] as this means this football club has won a trophy.
“I don’t feel like I’ve completed the job. We’re building. The moment I accepted the role I had one thing in my head – win something. We’ve done that now and I want to build on it.”
Ange Postecoglou Maintains ‘Second Season’ Trophy Success
Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou is celebrating winning a trophy in his second season at the club.
Looking into clubs where he has spent a second season or second full season as a coach, Postecoglou won league titles with South Melbourne in 1997/98 season and Brisbane Roar in 2010-11 season respectively in Australia, and the Japanese League with Yokohama F Marionos in 2019. He was also able to win cup competitions with each club.
Europa League Final: Tottenham Win
At Celtic, Postecoglou won the Scottish Premier League in two consecutive years, doing so earlier than at other points in his coaching career.
He won Scottish League Cup in each campaign too, and the 2022/23 Scottish cup before becoming Tottenham head coach in the summer of 2023.
When coaching Australia, Postecoglou won the Asian Cup in 2015, just two years after being appointed as the manager. He also became successful as boss of Australia Under 17 an Under 20 teams respectively.
There were three clubs where he was unable to win any trophy but he could not see out two seasons in charge of them−Panachaiki, Whittlesea Zebras and Melbourne Victory.
Johnson on his only goal in the EL final: The Feeling is Indescribable
According to Tottenham’s goal scorer Brennan Johnson, in the post-match chat with TNT Sports: “I’m so happy right now.
This season hasn’t been good but not one of us players cares right now.
“This is what it’s all about. It means so much. All the fans get battered, we get battered for not winning a trophy, but to get the first one in a while today, I’m so happy.
Europa League Final: Tottenham Win
“Ever since I came here it’s been ‘Tottenham are a good team Ever since I came here, it’s been, Tottenham are a good team but never get it done’. We got it done.
“I knew I touched it [for the goal], and then I looked up and the ball was trickling into the goal. I can’t describe the feeling. This is a modal window.
“[The final few minutes were] horrible. I couldn’t watch. I was listening to what the boys were saying, asking how long was left.
“When we defended that corner at the end, I kind of knew. The relief is nothing I can describe.
“Tottenham finishing 17th in the Premier League isn’t good enough, but we’ve had an unbelievable Europa run and the fans have been so good.
“I thought they had the edge on the United fans, to be honest. It got us through the game.
“He [Postecoglou] has done his job. If there’s ever a time for a mic drop it’s now, so I’ll be looking forward to his interview.
“I can’t thank the manager enough for how much trust he’s had in us, especially in the Europa League. He had a great way of getting everyone up for it and it shows.
I Had A Dream Of This Moment – Son
In the post-match chat of Tottenham captain Heung-Min Song to TNT Sports, he said: “Let’s say I’m a legend, why not?! Only today. For 17 years, no one has done it and today, I would say I am a legend of the club, so let’s celebrate.
Europa League Final: Tottenham Win
“It’s feeling amazing. It’s what I’ve dreamed for and today is the day it happened, my dream came true. I’m the happiest man in the world.
“When you look at the whole season, there are some situations when you’re having a tough time.
But as players, we stuck together with the injuries, with the young players, who stepped up.
I’ll always give them some good advice and I’m very lucky to have such an amazing group of players with me.
“I felt the pressure. I wanted it so badly. The last seven days, I’ve dreamt of it every single day and it finally happened. I can sleep nicely now.”
Europa League Final: Tottenham Win