Fabian Hurzeler has described Ange Postecoglou as a "role model" after Tottenham's Europa League win in midweek, with the Brighton boss confirming his players will give the Spurs squad a guard of honour before Sunday's clash at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Spurs clinched their first silverware in 17 years with a 1-0 win over Manchester United in Wednesday’s final thanks to a Brennan Johnson goal in Bilbao. Following 48 hours of celebrations, which included a open-top bus trophy parade, attention now turns to Sunday and the final Premier League match of the season against Brighton.
Ahead of the match, Hurzeler said he was pleased to see his opposite number lift the trophy. “I think both teams felt a lot of pressure and in the end Tottenham won. They played very mature, they scored one goal and that’s why they deserved to win. Congrats to them,” Hurzeler said.
“I’m happy for (Postecoglou) because he’s a very good guy. He deserves it. He has a lot of pressure and how he deals with it I think he’s a role model for young coaches as well, like me.
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“I’m very happy for him. I know that he worked hard for this and what I really like is that he said already in September after a game against Arsenal (that he wins things in his second season). He’s a man who can look into the future and that’s something very impressive.”
When asked if Brighton will give Tottenham a guard of honour, Hurzeler said: “Like we did against Liverpool, if great clubs achieve great things then it’s always a positive thing and also if English clubs achieve great things in the international cups. I’m very happy for them. Of course they deserve it, so we will do it.”
Tottenham celebrated their success with an open-top bus parade around north London on Friday night and following a tight turnaround, Spurs will be hoping to finish the season on a high at home on Sunday. The final game of the season is a big opportunity for Brighton, who could secure a spot in Europe if they finish eighth.
Speaking about how Spurs’ celebrations could influence the game, Hurzeler said: “We don’t know. I think that’s one of the questions I was asked in the last few hours the most, but my answer will be always the same.
“I can’t influence how they celebrate or how they will prepare for the game. The only things I can influence are how we prepare our team, and we will try to be the best prepared team we can be. That’s what our focus is on.”