Source : ABC NEWS
To some, it was a meaningless boast.
To others, it was a delusional symptom of the failure virus that has infiltrated everything associated with Tottenham for the past two decades or more.
To Ange Postecoglou, it was belief.
“People misinterpreted me,” the Spurs coach told TNT Sports, minutes after holding the UEFA Europa League trophy aloft, a grin of the likes many among the football community had forgotten existed beneath the gruff, cantankerous exterior of this stranger from the Antipodes — if they ever believed it was there at all.
“It was not me boasting, just me making a declaration and I believed it.”
He was, of course, talking about his statement, delivered in that familiar, dead-pan drawl back in September following a 1-0 Premier League defeat against Arsenal.
He had been asked about another statement he had made at the start of the season, his second with the lumbering, Lilywhite giants of north London when he said: “Usually in my second season I win things.”
Postecolgou was not wrong, and his players didn’t forget. (Getty Images: UEFA/Alex Pantling)
Said by anyone else, at almost any other club, and the statement would have been met with the standard response to any pre-season bluster of a man desperate for success.
At Spurs though, it was just jarring. An anachronism. Spurs don’t win things.
Antonio Conte, at that stage a winner of 11 major trophies in Italy and England couldn’t do it.
Nor could José Mourinho, a multiple trophy winner at almost every club he’s ever managed couldn’t get Spurs over the line either.
Not even Spurs’ most beloved manager of the modern era, Mauricio Pochettino, could take that final step towards silverware.
This is as close as Mauricio Pochettino got to leading Spurs to a trophy. (Getty Images: UEFA/Matthew Lewis)
Tottenham’s almost lycanthropic aversion to silver was becoming legendary.
So when Postecoglou doubled down, the scorn was palpable.
“I’ll correct myself — I don’t usually win things, I always win things in my second year,” Postecoglou told Sky Sports.
“I’ve said it now. I don’t say things unless I believe them.”
Fast forward eight months, with Spurs hiding near the bottom of the Premier League table after a torrid domestic season, it turns out Postecoglou was right after all.
Ange Postecoglou was vindicated, winning Spurs a third UEFA Cup/Europa League trophy. (Getty Images: AMA/Catherine Ivill)
“I know our league form has been unacceptable, but coming third was not going to change this football club,” Postecolgou told TNT Sports in Bilbao following Spurs’ gritty 1-0 victory over Manchester United.
“Winning a trophy would, that was my ambition and I was prepared to wear it if it did not happen.”
The only thing Postecolgou was wearing following 90 minutes of desperate football was a grin the size of Port Phillip Bay — and a winners medal around his neck.
“He has done his job,” match winner Brennan Johnson told TNT post-match
“He said he wins in the second year and he has, if there’s ever a time for a mic drop, it’s now.”
Mic drop or not, Postecoglou could be excused for wearing a cloak of smug satisfaction in addition to his winners medal.
For so long and to so many, Postecoglou has been considered a novelty, a miscarriage of the work he has done across so many footballing landscapes over his lengthy career.
“Even Daniel [Levy, Spurs chairman] sort of said, we went after winners, it didn’t work, now we’ve got Ange,” Postecolgou said in his press conference.
“Mate, I’m a winner. I’ve been a serial winner my whole career.
“All I’ve done my whole career is win things.”
Ange Postecoglou is loved and backed by his players. (Getty Images: Ian MacNicol)
From the semi-pro NSL and under-appreciated A-League in Australia, the alien environment of Japan right through to the hostile sectarianism of Scotland, Postecoglou has won.
Two NSL Championships and a Premiership with South Melbourne, plus the OFC Club Championship.
Two A-League Championships and a Premiership with Brisbane Roar.
The AFC Asian Cup with the Socceroos, plus six under-age OFC titles and an AFC crown with various junior Socceroos teams.
The J-League with Yokohama F. Marinos.
Two Scottish Premierships, a Scottish Cup and two Scottish League Cups with Celtic.
And now he’s done it with Spurs.
Spurs had not won a trophy in 17 years, despite finishing runners up in four competitions since. (Getty Images: Carl Recine)
“This club has had some unbelievable world class coaches, world class players, and they haven’t had a night like this,” he said.
“I know people dismiss my achievements because they didn’t happen on this side of the world, but for me they were all hard earned.”
None were more hard earned than this one.
Spurs had to defend resolutely throughout a match they had just 27 per cent of the ball in.
They allowed Manchester United 16 shots, five of which forced a save from Guglielmo Vicario and one a stunning overhead clearance off the line from Micky van de Ven.
Spurs’ Micky van de Ven clears the ball off the line as Manchester United press for an equaliser. (Reuters: Andrew Couldridge)
Postecoglou had selected a midfield of Pape Sarr, Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur, all defensively minded players — albeit one that was born out of necessity more than anything else due to injury.
Late in the match Spurs had three centre backs on the pitch, Kevin Danso joining Cristian Romero and van de Ven as Spurs shut up shop, a dramatic and glaring change from the attack at all costs line Postecoglou has pedalled in the league all year.
“Knockout football is always different,” Postecoglou said, pointing to his experience in Australia of playing finals to win championships.
“All my teams have always played a little different in knockout games.
“Big games come down to moments, you’ve got to limit the moments of the opposition.”
Spurs may not have limited United too much, but in the moments the Red Devils did create opportunities his defenders stood up, defenders that have missed so much of this domestic season, adding credence to Postecoglou’s assertion that Spurs’ woeful league position is not a fair reflection.
Postecoglou said there were no meetings planned with the club hierarchy before the end of the season.
His immediate future at the club still in doubt despite him inking himself indelibly into its history.
But whatever happens, Postecoglou has answered his critics. Again.
If his destiny lies away from North London, then so be it, but wherever the Aussie ends up next, he can walk down the Tottenham High Road with a spring in his step and his head held high.
“Que Sera, Sera,” as Postecolgou said leaving the press conference.
Whatever will be, will be.
