Published 13/05/2025 at 14:55 GMT+1
In this exclusive TNT Sports interview, Ange Postecoglou talks about what it would mean for himself and his players should Tottenham Hotspur beat Manchester United in the final of the UEFA Europa League to end their trophy drought. Both Premier League sides have the opportunity to salvage disappointing seasons when they collide in Bilbao on Wednesday, May 21, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Postecoglou says Europa League win ‘probably destroys 50% of the narrative’ around club
Video credit: TNT Sports
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou says victory over Manchester United in the final of the UEFA Europa League "probably destroys 50% of the narrative" surrounding the club.
Spurs’ well-publicised trophy drought extends back to the 2008 League Cup final when they edged out Chelsea at Wembley after the game went to extra time.
Chances have come and gone in the interim, most notably in 2019 when they were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool in the final of that season’s UEFA Champions League, but more than 17 years of hurt can be ended should they prevail over their Premier League rivals in Bilbao on May 21, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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Asked if that would change the perception of the north London club, Postecoglou told TNT Sports: "It's a great opportunity, I think, because it probably destroys 50% of the narrative that exists around the club in terms of its stature at the moment. It’s this constant question, well, until you actually win something everything else is irrelevant.
‘I’m an outlier’ – Postecoglou on ‘annoying’ criticism amid run to Europa League final
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"It doesn't matter how nice your stadium is, the supporters, your training facilities, it doesn't matter if you have been runners-up in the league until you win something.
"So, once you do win, and this is a significant trophy, that's out of the equation. Then different questions come, and you have to kind of repeat that, but that's a different course you navigate.
"But all that stuff around, you know, that you haven't won anything, I think, disappears in one fell swoop."
Highlights: Solanke and Porro send Spurs to Bilbao
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For Postecoglou, an Australian who grew up watching major finals with his dad, he admits it is "emotional" to think he is going to lead out one of England’s biggest teams on such a grand occasion.
Disbelief that he has come so far and has a chance to help give Tottenham fans an experience they will likely never forget is another feeling that is not far away from the surface.
"I would really love to take a couple of weeks to mull it over because it becomes very emotional for me," the 59-year-old added. "That was me and my dad watching European Cup finals or UEFA Cup finals or Cup Winners' Cup finals.
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"To think that's going to be replicated now and especially the people I know and the people who have been in my life, they're going to see me out there, it's surreal for sure.
"[There’s a] bit of impostor syndrome there, where it's just not right, but at the same time, I've worked hard for it.
"A lot of people in my inner circle have made a lot of sacrifices for me to be in this position, so I appreciate it."
‘Not a common thing to see somebody like me in this position’
Spurs’ run to the final of the Europa League is in complete contrast to their domestic form this season.
They sit 17th in the Premier League table on 38 points and have lost a club-record 20 games from 36 so far.
‘There are parallels’ - Postecoglou talks similarities with Amorim as both seek to save season
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That has, inevitably, led to plenty of criticism from some quarters. And while Postecoglou accepts some of it is understandable and "logical", he believes some of it is a result of his relatively unusual rise through the managerial ranks, having spent the majority of his career in Australia before a two-year stint with Scottish side Celtic preceded his move down south.
"Sometimes it [the criticism] gets annoying, but I also understand it because I think I'm a bit of an outlier," he said. "And I think when you are an outlier – this is not a common thing to see somebody like me in this position – it's only natural people will question things.
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"I think I've earned the right to be here, I think all the success I've had is valid success, but because it hasn't come in conventional quarters here in Europe where people have very easy reference points, invariably you get questioned.
"I don't think there'd be another manager who gets to a European final that's had their ability to manage questioned as much as I have. So I understand some of it and it's logical, but there is some of it that does get annoying after a while because if you’re so dismissive of everything I've done, and I am here, then it doesn't say much for the competition I'm in.
"So you’ve got to weigh it up against the other. Either I'm doing something significant, and I've earned the right, or this isn't a big deal anyway, because anybody can do it."
'Form is meaningless'
Despite their struggles, Spurs have recorded three wins over Manchester United this season: home and away in the league and in the Carabao Cup.
However, Postecoglou is reading little into that, nor is he putting any stock into the recent form of the two sides.
Highlights: Man Utd crush Athletic to march into final in style
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"I just think finals are just unique beasts," he continued. "Form going into it, head-to-head going into it means absolutely nothing. That's my experience, that's why you've seen so many finals… you can have your favourites, you can have your underdogs, it's all meaningless.
"Previous form is meaningless, even form leading into it is meaningless because it's about the day.
"So, what you do is you prepare that they're gonna be at their best and we've got to prepare for us to be at our best and then we'll see who comes out on top."
Watch the Premier League and Champions League live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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