Ange Postecoglou followed through on his promise by sacrificing some of his principles. And by quitting on the domestic campaign to end Tottenham’s trophy drought, chances are he has also relinquished a chance to continue his project.
As the Australian pushed aside a hard-earned opportunity to gloat on Wednesday night, he instead offered a vital insight into why he is still expected to be shown the exit.
How must chairman Daniel Levy, a man who has never been slow to make changes in the dugout, feel after hearing Postecoglou claim the Premier League was written off in late January?
Not great, presumably – irrespective of the 17-year drought being ended.
Postecoglou was honest enough to admit certain figures at the club were “at odds” with his decision to put all his eggs in the Europa basket “at a cost.”
But the suggestion that Spurs effectively gave up on the Premier League must not be spun into an act of clever management.
Ignoring the fact Tottenham were already on the ropes by the close of the January transfer window – they had lost eight from ten – for the manager of one of the world’s richest clubs to claim he effectively wrote off almost half a league season is unacceptable.
Sure, the injury problems were unprecedented. Sure, the trophy is a piece of physical justification for his decision.
And, of course, the financial boon of reaching next season’s Champions League is huge. But if a narrative was allowed to develop in recent days around the importance of the £100m pot for the winners, let’s not forget finishing in the top five remains far more lucrative. Being mid-table would have earned another £20m.
Postecoglou, nothing if not stubborn, is unlikely to have regrets because the risk paid such a handsome reward. Except there is no time to stand still and next season’s Champions League, even in its new bloated format, will offer far more ruthless opposition than Ferencvaros, Elfsborg and Bodo/Glimt – especially for a young squad that currently lacks depth.
It is also worth mentioning the great irony to how Postecoglou guided Spurs to glory. For all the talk about the unwavering commitment to Angeball in the past two years, this triumph was earned through a degree of pragmatism that has so often appeared anathema to him.
The flawed-but-fun approach that has made them top entertainment for the neutrals was replaced in Europe by something more tailored and sensible. And for all the prickly exchanges he has had with the media over his refusal to change, it was his willingness to quietly adapt that has brought victory.
For that he deserves credit and it should be stressed that Postecoglou has remained popular among his players throughout. Some refer to him as Uncle Ange and appreciate how he absorbed the hits this season rather than deflect it on to their underperformance. That, unquestionably, is excellent management.
But in Levy’s 24 years in charge, there has never been much room for sentimentality.
Postecoglou deserves a big send off, the chance to lap up every moment of today’s parade and Sunday’s season closer against Brighton. All signs, however, suggest it would be a mistake for him to still be there come August.