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Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel has urged Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy to keep faith in Ange Postecoglou and retain him for another season with a decision on the Australian’s Spurs future expected within days.

Speaking to Foxsports.com.au ahead of Thursday’s unveiling of the FIFA Club World Cup’s on air lineup that will be heard on Kayo Sports, Mikel said that Postecoglou’s Europa League triumph and exciting ‘Angeball’ exploits should earn him another chance in 2025-26.

However, Mikel, who will be part of the team exclusively covering the major tournament over the coming weeks, offered two pieces of advice to Postecoglou should he remain at the helm.

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The Premier League and Champions League winner said that Postecoglou must be ready to temper ‘Angeball’ more readily, and build on his occasionally testy relationship with Spurs fans.

“I love big Ange. I think Ange is a really good manager,” Mikel said, when asked if he believes Postecoglou should not be sacked.

“To win the Europa League is a massive, massive achievement. Yes, it wasn’t the season that the Spurs fans wanted to see, but to go on to win the Europa League for me I think is an incredible achievement.

“I hope he stays.”

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UK reports suggest that Postecoglou, despite winning Spurs’ first trophy of any kind in 17 years, and ending a 41-year drought in Europe, will ultimately pay the price for a dismal domestic campaign in which Spurs finished 17th.

But should Levy pull the trigger, it will be a decision to face substantial backlash with several key Spurs players publicly supporting Postecoglou since winning the Europa League, while the Australian’s popularity with fans has also skyrocketed amid the good-feeling of ending the trophy drought.

Postecoglou has shared an up-and-down relationship with the club’s fans. The low point came when he publicly derided Spurs supporters who wanted their team to lose to Manchester City at the end of the 2023-24 season to prevent bitter rivals Arsenal from clinching the Premier League.

Several fan clashes inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium involving Postecoglou have been captured since.

But Postecoglou has won favour with many more recently, especially after making his stunning “I always win things in my second year” prediction come true.

Postecoglou has used the momentum to help swing the narrative of his Spurs tenure back in his favour, most notably with his public cry of: “All the best television series, season three is better than season two.”

Mikel is among the Australian’s fans, but has warned Postecoglou that should he remain, he must continue to foster a stronger relationship with his constituency.

“I like his approach to the team with the players, and I hope, leading into next season, he creates some relationship between him and the fans, because it’s important,” he said.

“You need a relationship between him and the fans. I don’t think he’s done that.

“I hope winning the Europa League will create some of that friendship, relationship between him and the fans.”

Mikel added that he “likes the way (Postecoglou) plays”, but urged him to more often adopt “a balance” to succeed.

Postecoglou’s breakneck style of play took the Premier League by storm in his early days, and even shot Spurs to an early lead in the 2023-24 title race.

But it fell flat in Postecoglou’s second season amid the club’s massive injury toll, while a more pragmatic style in Europe was ultimately what led Spurs to finally winning a trophy.

As such, Mikel thinks there is a time and a place for ‘Angeball’ — and it’s not always.

“I just think sometimes there needs to be a balance to that,” he said. “You can’t keep attacking and attacking and damage your balance.

“You need to sometimes shore up the game. Keep the balance of the team.

“I think, for me, that’s my only criticism with Ange. He needs to sometimes shore up the game a little bit more.

“Sometimes, it doesn’t have to be a basketball game, you know what I mean? Keep the balance of the team.”

As for a final prediction on whether Postecoglou will get sacked by Levy?

“(Levy) was the man who got rid of Jose Mourinho a day or two days before the (League Cup) Final, so you can never tell with Daniel Levy,” he said.

“I hope he makes the right choice for the football club, but yes, I love big Ange, and I hope he stays.”

Son Heung-min could leave Tottenham this summer transfer window with interest from the Saudi Pro League emerging, according to reports.

Son is one of the club’s greatest players of the modern era but has struggled for form in recent times following the departure of Harry Kane, injury troubles, and the emergence of Richarlison.

The club captain, who lifted the Europa League trophy last month, has one year left on his contract at Spurs, where he has been a fan favourite for 10 years.

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But The Telegraph understands that Spurs could sell him now to generate a fee for the striker instead of potentially losing him for free at the end of the 2025-26 season.

The publication reports that the Korean international is a target for Saudi Pro League pro league clubs, who have previously shown interest in him.

Although it’s unclear what clubs are willing to pay now, it’s worth noting that in 2023, Al Ittihad was reportedly willing to pay Spurs a £55million (A$115m) transfer fee, and offer Son a four-year deal worth around a mammoth £25m annually (A$52.4m, A$210m over four years).

Son has been an ally of coach Ange Postecoglou, but the Australian’s tenure at Spurs sits on a knife-edge with chair Daniel Levy expected to make a call on his future in the coming days.

FERNANDES CONFIRMS HE REJECTED SAUDI MOVE TO STAY AT MAN UTD

Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes turned down his own chance to move to Saudi Arabia, with the Manchester United captain reportedly rejecting a £100m move to Al-Hilal that would’ve seen him pocket about £1m-a-week.

“The president of Al Hilal called me and asked me if I wanted to move there,” Fernandes confirmed, saying the club “waited for me to think about my future”.

“I talked to the gaffer and he asked me not to go,” Fernandes revealed, adding: “Man United said they didn’t want to sell me.

“They said if I wanted to go I could but they didn’t need the money.”

The player said a transfer would have been “easy” with several Portuguese players already in Saudi Arabia, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Cancelo and Ruben Neves, but added: “I want to play at the highest possible level.

“I want to play major competitions. I know I still can and I want to be happy doing the thing I love the most.

“For better or worse, this is how I see football and I’m passionate about football and this is the decision I’ve made.”

United endured their worst finish of the Premier League era, finishing 15th. They also lost the Europa League final to Tottenham.

United captain Fernandes was one of the few players to emerge with credit from a disastrous season, scoring 19 goals and making 19 assists across all competitions.

The club have already signed Brazil forward Matheus Cunha from Wolves and are being heavily linked with Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo.

Departures could include Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho.

Fernandes has made 290 appearances and scored 98 goals for United since his £47 million move from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020.

FALLEN STAR’S LATEST HUMILIATION

Elsewhere, Jadon Sancho’s brutal decline has taken another sobering step.

The former Borussia Dortmund star, who was bought by Manchester United and then shipped to Chelsea on loan, will not remain in West London next season.

Instead, the 25-year-old will return to the Red Devils after the two English giants couldn’t agree to a permanent move.

United was willing to make Sancho’s move to Stamford Bridge permanent, but Chelsea baulked at the decision, instead paying the £5m (A$10.5m) penalty clause just to not keep him.

Sancho, who just won the Conference League with the Blues, appeared to be willing to stay.

“Grateful for the experience. Big love to everyone at Chelsea who made me feel at home — teammates, staff and the fans,” he said in a statement.

“Wishing the club all the best moving forward. Truly grateful, Thank you Blues.”

Sancho returned to England after a blistering spell in the Bundesliga, where he netted 38 times in 104 games for Dortmund, and became an England international.

The winger’s career is now in limbo after being forced to return to the club where his decline began.

COACH INZAGHI TO LEAVE INTER MILAN: CLUB

Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi is leaving after four years by “mutual agreement”, the club announced on Tuesday, as Italian media reported he was moving to Saudi Arabia.

“The club and Simone Inzaghi are parting ways. This is the decision taken by mutual agreement,” Inter said in a statement.

Both Inter and Inzaghi said the decision had been made at a meeting involving the coach and club President Giuseppe Marotta on Tuesday afternoon.

The parting came just days after Saturday’s 5-0 thumping by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.

Talk had already been swirling about his exit, and last month Inzaghi played down rumours about a two-year deal with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal worth 50 million euros.

Italian media said Tuesday this reported had been confirmed. Inzaghi took over Inter in 2021 and had a contract until 2026. The 49-year-old guided the club to one Serie A title - Inter’s 20th - and two Italian Cups. He led the team to two Champions League finals in the past three seasons but lost both.

On track to repeat the treble heroics of 2010 just a few weeks ago, Inter ended the season trophyless after falling away in each competition.

In its statement, the club said Inzaghi’s management was “characterised by great passion, accompanied by professionalism and dedication”.

His trophies had “brought the club back to the top of Italian and European football”, it said.

Marotta thanked him “for the work done, for the passion shown and also for the sincerity in today’s discussion, which led to the common decision to separate our paths”.

“Only when we have fought together to achieve success day by day, can we have a frank dialogue like the one that happened today,” he said.

In a separate statement, Inzaghi thanked the players, managers and staff, but most of all the fans, adding: “I will never forget you.”

Ange Postecoglou has sent a strong message with the Australian set to learn his fate in the coming days, but already there have been major changes across the board at Tottenham.

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The shake-up already started with the arrival of new CEO Vinai Venkatesham, while it was also widely reported on Tuesday that executive director Donna-Maria Cullen would be leaving the club.

Cullen, who had been on Spurs’ board since 2006 and is a trustee of the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, said in a statement that it was a “hard decision” to step down.

“It has been quite some journey, starting at White Hart Lane, with a brief stay at Wembley and finally our new home -- amazing memories home and away. Ending this season with the Europa League trophy was a dream come true,” she added.

ESPN reported that Venkatesham has already started work at Tottenham and “will play a role” in determining whether Postecoglou stays on.

Another expected change was confirmed on Tuesday as West Brom appointed former Tottenham midfielder and caretaker manager Ryan Mason as new boss.

Mason, 33, has signed a three-year deal at the Hawthorns and is tasked with getting West Brom promoted back to the Premier League.

“This is a huge club with a fantastic infrastructure and an incredible fanbase and I am excited about what we can achieve together,” Mason said in a statement.

West Brom finished ninth in the Championship last season and had been without a manager since the sacking of Tony Mowbray in April.

After his playing career was ended early by a serious head injury, Mason returned to Spurs as a coach in 2018.

He stepped up as caretaker boss in 2021 and 2023 following the sackings of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.

“Ryan has been an integral part of Tottenham Hotspur for a number of years, both as a player and a coach,” Spurs chairman Daniel Levy said.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Ryan for all his dedication and hard work over the years, and we wish him every success for the future.”

While all eyes are now on Postecoglou, there are still other changes on the horizon with chief football officer Scott Munn’s position also in jeopardy while there will likely also be a shake-up to the club’s medical and sport science teams.

Meanwhile, Postecoglou appeared on ABC’s Australian Story program on Monday evening and sent a strong message to support his famous claim at Tottenham’s trophy parade that “season three is always better than season two”.

When asked to explain the meaning behind those words, Postecoglou doubled down.

“I didn’t want us to just enjoy the moment,” he said.

“I also wanted us to think about what’s next, you know – don’t settle for this. We’ve got a taste of it now.

“My players have got a taste for it. The club’s got a taste for it. Well, let’s make sure we’re back here again.”

With the 2025 Club World Cup expanding, the Premier League’s transfer window is set to begin earlier this year, opening between June 1 and June 10.

The summer transfer window will then open, as usual, on June 16 to deadline day on September 1 — but the new window could see a host of clubs make early moves.

Liverpool and Chelsea have already reportedly recruited big-name scalps, while Manchester City and Tottenham are once again in the market for recruits after disappointing Premier League campaigns.

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Read below for all the big Premier League transfer news!

PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPS MOVE FOR GERMAN ACE

In a move that is sure to leave their Premier League rivals quaking in their boots, Liverpool have reportedly submitted a club record bid to sign Florian Wirtz.

The Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder is widely regarding as one of football’s best up and coming talents, refusing a move to German giant Bayern Munich.

That decision saw Liverpool pounce and they’ve tabled a whopping $228m AUD bid to bring him to the Premier League according to The Guardian.

That offer includes add ons, knocking their previous $178m AUD fee to sign Darwin Nunez out of the park.

Negotiations between Wirtz and Liverpool have reportedly progressed, however Bayer Leverkusen could still turn down that fee.

They reportedly value Wirtz at $264m AUD and requested that figure when Bayern Munich came knocking to sign the German ace.

However, what works in Liverpool’s favour is the versatile attacker is hopeful of making a move away from the Bundesliga after five years in Germany’s top flight.

Wirtz has previously been linked heavily with a move to Manchester City, scoring 57 goals and assisting 65 more in his 197 Leverkusen appearances.

LIVERPOOL’S ALEXANDER-ARNOLD REPLACEMENT

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has made a switch to Real Madrid and the Premier League champions have already confirmed his replacement.

Wing back Jeremie Frimpong was unveiled as the club’s newest recruit overnight, with Liverpool activating his $62m AUD release clause.

Frimpong will leave Bayer Leverkusen as one of the world’s most exciting fullbacks and the switch will be made official once the early transfer window opens.

Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, will move to the La Liga for only $18m AUD and his switch left the Liverpool faithful incensed.

However, Frimpong shapes as a more versatile player on the right wing, with the ability to also join the attacking line and play further forward.

Arne Slot, according to ESPN, reportedly believes the Dutch international can fill in for Mohamed Salah when he departs for the African Cup of Nations later this year.

The 24-year-old is also no stranger to the Premier League, having been spent time in Manchester City’s pathways system, meaning he qualifies as a homegrown player in England.

“It went quite easy,” Frimpong said.

“Liverpool came and said they had interest, and obviously for me it was a no-brainer.“For me, it was like, ‘Whatever you guys do, just get this done,’ [speaking to] my agents: ‘Just get this done’.”

TOTTENHAM’S DEFENSIVE REINFORCEMENTS

While Australian coach Ange Postecoglou’s future remains uncertain in North London, star centre back Cristian Romero could also be on the move.

The Argentinian star is widely expected to depart Spurs in the off-season, winning the Europa League with a win over Manchester United last week.

Romero is reportedly being targeted by a host of clubs, with Tottenham officials earmarking Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi as his ideal replacement according to Football Insider.

The English international is a proven Premier League defender and is reportedly Postecoglou’s ideal recruit to fill the hole left in the middle of the defensive line.

Spurs previously had a $146m AUD bid rejected earlier this year to secure his services, meaning Daniel Levy will have to come to the table with an increased offer.

Premier League rivals Chelsea are also reportedly interested in Guehi’s services.

“Tottenham are very interested in Marc Guehi,” former Spurs scout Mick Brown said.

“They’ve got a certain instability at centre-back and it’s an issue they want to deal with.

“They see Van de Ven as their top option in that position, but from what I hear they’re not quite so sure about Romero, and he could be leaving. Guehi doesn’t have those same question marks about his performances.

“He’s ultra-consistent, you could put your bank balance on him giving you a good display every week.”

CITY ONCE AGAIN HIT THE MARKET

Pep Guardiola is once again set to hit the market in a bid to strengthen his squad after a spluttering campaign that saw them finish third in the Premier League.

With talisman Kevin De Bruyne set to depart for Napoli, City are reportedly hoping to strengthen their midfield stocks.

Ilkay Gundogan and Jack Grealish are also set to leave, which could strengthen their ability to hit the transfer market.

According to The Telegraph, the Premier League heavyweights want to recruit both AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders and Lyon’s Rayan Cherki.

Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak confirmed they are hoping to complete any transfer moves before the squad depart for the Club World Cup on June 14.

Reijnders, 26, can play as a No.8 and also as a defensive midfielder and AC Milan are reportedly hopeful of breaking their club departure record.

That record is held by Kaka’s move to Real Madrid, with the Spanish giants forking out a whopping $119m AUD in 2009.

Cherki, meanwhile, is reportedly keen on making the move to City and the attacking midfielder could finally depart France after previously agreeing on a switch to Fulham.

The 21-year-old is seen as an incredibly talented attacking midfielder and is yet to make his France debut.

ARSENAL SET TO SIGN A STRIKER... FINALLY

It’s a position that has consistently plagued Arsenal, but Mikel Arteta looks to have began talks to finally recruit a striker.

According to the Daily Mail, the Spanish manager has reportedly began discussion to recruit RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.

Arsenal have previously been heavily linked to the Slovenian marksman, with a whopping price tag of $193m AUD laid down by Leipzig.

During the January transfer window, Arsenal had a bid declined by the German outfit as they were desperately hoping to land a target man.

The ‘Gunners’ also reportedly had a big for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins turned down, hoping to fill a hole left vacant for a large part of the season.

Midfield recruit Mikel Merino was often deployed as a striker under Arteta to close out the season, with both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus struggling with injuries and form.

Interestingly, Merino scored nine goals and tallied five assists in what was a successful move for the midfield recruit.

However, Arsenal will be desperate to secure Sesko’s services before their next Premier League campaign begins.

Real Socieded midfielder Martin Zubimendi is also reportedly set to complete a medical before he makes his switch to the North London club.

Accolades keep coming for Ange Postecoglou as the Australian received the John Duncan Award from the League Managers Association for winning the Europa League with Tottenham.

The award, named for Duncan who spent 30 years managing across the various tiers of English football after an esteemed playing career that included scoring 53 goals in 103 appearances for Spurs, is to recognise those who have achieved historic and notable success for their club in the season just gone.

Postecoglou guiding Tottenham to their first European trophy in 41 years, and their first piece of silverware in 17 years no doubt fits the bill.

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The award is not limited to just one recipient, however, with five managers praised for their outstanding achievements.

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, who led the Eagles to FA Cup glory and their first ever major trophy in their 120-year history, was recognised.

So too was Newcastle manager Eddie Howe after the Magpies ended a 70-year trophy drought when they won the League Cup.

Chelsea women’s manager Sonia Bompastor received the award as the Blues became the first Women’s Super League team to be unbeaten across a 22-game season as they won the league for the sixth successive season.

Renée Slegers also was celebrated for winning the Women’s Champions League with an Arsenal team that featured Matildas Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross.

The acknowledgment for Postecoglou as his future at Tottenham remains clouded.

Football.London’s Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold reported over night that Spurs chair Daniel Levy is unlikely to issue a verdict this week on whether the Australian will stay in charge.

It was reported that no meeting took place between Postecoglou and the club before he jetted off on his end of season holiday earlier this week.

The 59-year-old is at the halfway mark of the four-year contract he signed when he joined Tottenham from Scottish giants Celtic.

Several of his star players have made their feelings clear about the manager in recent days.

Centre back Cristian Romero, who wore the captain’s arm band in the Europa League final as skipper Son Heung-min started on the bench, also has two years to run on his current contract but has been linked with a move to Atletico Madrid.

That would be a huge blow for Spurs as the Argentine World Cup winner was named player of the tournament in the Europa League, but his social media activity has spelled out his intentions.

“WINNERS!!! We achieved what we wanted this season as a group, and that’s what matters and….my name is part of the history of this beautiful club @spursofficial,” Romero wrote.

“I want to thank you all for the love and support every day despite everything, but I have no doubt that staying together led us to success. We must continue; this is the path.”

That last line comes after Romero reposted a tweet that said “Oh no, he is clearly signal that he would leave if Levy sack Ange, unfortunately the only two who has ambitions.”

He later deleted the repost, but the point was made.

Postecoglou invested heavily in teenagers Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray in the season gone, and when asked about the manager at teammate James Maddison’s charity golf day, the pair were emphatic that there is no need for change.

“A hundred per cent [he should stay], I think he’s done a great job,” Bergvall told Sky Sports. “It’s not been easy for any of us, especially because of all the injuries, but as he said, he always wins things in his second year and that’s true.”

When Gray was asked if Postecoglou should get a third season, he said: “Yes, definitely. It’s been a great season this year and it’s been a roller coaster of a season as well, not just at the end.

“We’ve obviously had some really tough times and we stuck together. He’s big on things like family and I think the main thing that helped us get to the final and win the final is our morals of what we’re like as a team.

“Like I said, family is our main thing. We believe in each other and it’s like brothers going out there on the pitch in the final and we just fought for each other.”

Maddison too issued a strong show of support, making it obvious to Levy that the playing group are backing Postecoglou.

“Yeah [he should stay], he’s been brilliant, man, like, even at the start of the season, saying: ‘I don’t usually win things, I always win things’. It’s one of them. We knew that would create a big uproar in the media with you like never shutting up about it, but never once did I stop believing that he meant that,” Maddison said.

“The season three line was iconic as well and he’s got them in the locker, the motivational mic drop moments.”

He added: “Managers and clubs, you don’t need a bigger example than Tottenham, can go long periods without winning trophies, 17 years, but he’s a man who’s always had success and he’s a man who I think his biggest strength is his self-belief in what he does, and that feeds off into us and that’s been installed into us in Europe this year.

“All the away games and even the ones early in the group stages and the round of 16 we had a really bad performance away at AZ Alkmaar and he went heavy on us because you just know he’s a winner and then we turned it around second leg and we’re in the quarters, and every step we got closer and closer and we believed more and more, and now we’re winners and no one can ever take that away from us.”

Ange Postecoglou urged Tottenham to end the “weird” speculation over his future as he promised to deliver more success for the Europa League winners.

Postecoglou’s side suffered a 4-1 home defeat against Brighton in their last game of the Premier League season on Sunday.

But the match was a sideshow to the debate about Postecoglou’s fate after the Australian ended Tottenham’s 17-year wait for a major trophy.

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Tottenham’s 1-0 win against Manchester United in the Europa League final in Bilbao on Wednesday fulfilled Postecoglou’s bold boast that he always lifts a trophy in his second season.

However, the former Celtic boss has spent much of a turbulent campaign battling to quash speculation that he faces the sack.

Tottenham, in 17th place, suffered their worst top-flight finish since 1976-77. And although Postecoglou has won over the Tottenham fans who chanted his name throughout the Brighton game, the verdict from chairman Daniel Levy is yet to be delivered.

“I will be honest, I have been finding it really weird talking about my future when we have done something unprecedented,” Postecoglou said.

“I have had to answer the questions because no-one else at the club is in the position to do so, I guess.

“I have got no doubt, though, that this could be a real defining moment for this club, because wherever I have been, I have made an impact where I have brought success to a club that hasn’t had it for a while.

“You just have to look at those clubs’ trajectory even after I left, they are still competing for things. I really think this is a moment in time where this club could push on and be a real contender for honours on a yearly basis.”

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Levy’s end-of-message program notes published on Sunday afternoon failed to address Postecoglou’s future, with Tottenham linked to Fulham boss Marco Silva and Brentford manager Thomas Frank.

With the season now over, if the Spurs hierarchy make the call to sack to Postecoglou, he will have no regrets over how he choose to navigate this campaign.

“From my perspective, I made decisions that I felt were giving us the best chance of achieving the goal we needed to achieve this year and that has affected our league form,” he said.

“If people don’t want to take that into account, then there is nothing I can say to explain it any better than that.

“I came to the club and we had finished eighth. I didn’t take over a club that had finished second. They had no European football to speak of. Lost the one player who probably guarantees you European football. That was my starting point.

“At the end of two years, I’ve got the club a trophy it has been crying out for, Champions League football, we finished fifth last year. Either people are saying ‘last year it was a huge anomaly for us to finish fifth or this is what we deliver right.’

“I have got no doubt next year we will be in a much stronger position, challenging for the top places. I have got no doubt we will tackle the Champions League with the same determination that we tackled the Europa League. I have no doubts about that.

“If people are seeking any more evidence about me, then there is nothing I’m going to say that’s going to convince them if they haven’t seen it in the last two years.”

While Postecoglou believes he can take Tottenham to the next level after they finally ended their trophy hoodoo, the 59-year-old was tired of talking about his situation after an emotional week.

“You know my gut feeling? My gut feeling is I feel right now that I’ve done something that no-one believed I could,” he said.

“I shouldn’t be sitting here talking about it (my future). That’s my feeling, but it is what it is. Probably I am talking now because I’m tired, mate.

“You’re asking the person who can’t give you that answer. I guess, even for you guys, you wouldn’t be asking it if there wasn’t a doubt, right?.

“There is nothing I can say that will answer that question. Other people can, so from my perspective, it doesn’t diminish the achievement.

“Like I said, I am so confident about what we can build at this football club and I want to push on and take it to the next level. We’ll see whether that happens.”

Ange Postecoglou is yet to discuss his future with chairman Daniel Levy as the Tottenham manager waits to discover if he will be sacked despite winning the Europa League.

Postecoglou led Tottenham to their first silverware in 17 years with a 1-0 win over Manchester United in Wednesday’s final in Bilbao.

The north London club’s first European trophy in 41 years also secured qualification for next season’s Champions League.

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But, languishing in 17th in the Premier League, Tottenham are set for their worst top-flight final position since 1976-77 amid reports that Postecoglou faces the axe.

After being serenaded by thousands of Tottenham supporters at Friday’s Europa League bus parade, Postecoglou declared “season three is always better than season two” in a hint he believes that he will survive.

But, facing the media before the last game of the top-flight season against Brighton on Sunday, the 59-year-old insisted he remained in the dark over his future.

“I should have thought about it a bit more because as somebody rightly pointed out, sometimes they kill off the main character. I could be in strife there,” Postecoglou told reporters on Saturday.

“I said, even before the game, I really believe we’re just building something and a significant win accelerates that. I really believe that is the case and I am not going to put a limit on what we can achieve.

“I certainly believe it’s exciting the possibilities of next year knowing I’ve got a group of players now and staff and a club that knows how to win and wants more of it.

“Similar to before the game, I haven’t had any discussions with the club. Like I said, maybe they were just waiting for clear air to give me some guidance, but I haven’t heard anything from the club.”

Pressed on his chances of remaining in the job for a third season, former Celtic boss Postecoglou referenced American comedy Seinfeld and an episode where character George Costanza turns up for work after leaving his job.

Postecoglou, who has two years to run on his contract, said: “I just refuse to be distracted by anything in terms of the opportunity that was before us.

“And since the game, I just wanted to take the opportunity also to enjoy that as well.

“I haven’t thought about it. I assume at some point somebody will tell me something. If not, I’m just gonna roll up next year and be a bit like Costanza from Seinfeld. I’ll just sit in the desk and get on with my job.”

Ange Postecoglou has done it again.

Europa League winners Tottenham were saluted by around 150,000 ecstatic fans during an open-top bus parade through north London on Friday and the Australian treated them to a powerful speech — ending it with another iconic quote.

“I told them and they laughed. I told them and they didn’t believe,” he opened.

“And we’re here because of this unbelievable group of people, the players, the staff, absolute heroes, led by the legend, Son Heung-Min, Cuti Romero, James Maddison, and Guglielmo Vicario.

“All of them, heroes, and they did it all for you. Because you deserve it. This club deserves it.”

Then, came the mic drop moment.

“And I’ll tell you something, I’ll leave you with this,” Postecoglou continued, with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy not too far away.

“All the best television series, season three is better than season two.”

VOTE: Should Tottenham sack Ange Postecoglou?

Postecoglou’s side beat Manchester United 1-0 in Bilbao on Thursday to end the club’s 17-year trophy drought.

Brennan Johnson’s first-half strike sealed Tottenham’s first European silverware for 41 years, making amends for the team’s dismal form in the Premier League this term.

A white double-decker bus with ‘Europa League winners’ emblazoned on it carried Tottenham’s players on an “emotional” journey to their stadium.

Jubilant supporters packed the streets to hail the players, with chants of “glory, glory Tottenham Hotspur” echoing as the bus rolled past.

Tottenham’s South Korean captain Son Heung-min held the trophy aloft on the top deck of the bus as his team-mates proudly displayed their winners’ medals and Postecoglou waved to fans.

An estimated 150,000 supporters were expected for a parade that was due to last around 90 minutes.

Tottenham players were seen partying in a London nightclub after arriving back from Bilbao.

And Dutch defender Micky van de Ven soaked up the scene at the parade and said: “Unbelievable man. Yeah I slept only a little bit since then.

“Emotional, so emotional. The season we’ve had, it was so difficult, but we got the trophy and we’re so happy. I’m so proud of the boys.

“If you experience this, you want to do it over and over again. We’re going to try to do the same beautiful things next season.”

It was Tottenham’s first trophy parade since winning their last FA Cup in 1991, while their last silverware came in the 2008 League Cup.

Postecoglou’s side are currently 17th in the Premier League, one place above the relegation zone, as they face up to their worst finish since 1976-77.

But Graham Roberts -- a member of the Tottenham team that won the 1984 UEFA Cup -- backed his old club to chase more silverware now the trophy curse is over.

“This will give them belief now. All that pressure that was there, that’s gone,” Roberts said.

“We have to strengthen our squad, but I think we have a great bunch of boys.

“They love Ange, they went round him, they cuddled him, they wanted him in the photos. The team spirit is there.

“We’ll get more now, the rest will come. Wednesday was one of the greatest nights. I had tears in my eyes. The fans were magnificent. They deserve it.”

Martin Samuel of The Times wrote that sacking Ange Postecoglou would be the “most Spursy move Daniel Levy could make”.

The Telegraph’s Matt Law, meanwhile, urged the Tottenham chairman to “be brave” and declared “now is not the time to sack another manager”.

Spurs icon Robbie Keane simply said that this is a team that “needs stability”. In other words, they need Postecoglou.

That seemed to be the general consensus from the UK media, pundits and former players after Postecoglou did what he always said he would, winning in his second year in charge as Tottenham overcame Manchester United 1-0 in the Europa League final.

Postecoglou said he had unfinished business after the game, telling TNT Sports he wanted to stay.

“I don’t feel like I’ve completed a job here, we’re still building,” he said.

However, all reports before Thursday’s final seemed to point towards Postecoglou being sacked regardless of the result given Tottenham’s poor Premier League record.

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But Law argued in a column for The Telegraph that would be a mistake.

“Now is not the time to sack another manager. Now is not the time to rip everything up again,” he wrote.

Instead, Law called on Levy to “show the kind of courage” that Postecoglou had in putting all of his focus into the Europa League, with the Australian admitting after Thursday’s game that he had rested players in the Premier League to make sure they were in top shape.

“Sure the Premier League campaign might have been horrible. But who cares now?” continued Law.

“Not the delirious Tottenham fans in Bilbao or those watching the victory over Manchester United at the club’s stadium in London. This is what the club has been dreaming about and longing for. Why sabotage the feel-good factor instead of feeding on it?

“Surely it would be an act of footballing cowardice on Levy’s part to celebrate winning the Europa League and qualifying for the Champions League by letting Postecoglou go. If that was the plan, as it seems was the case, then rip it up. Be brave.”

Law went on to acknowledge that Levy deserves some credit for sticking by Postecoglou up until this point, even as the Premier League losses piled up, giving him a chance to make good on his promise and deliver Tottenham its long-awaited trophy.

“But it is now time to show some real loyalty,” Law added, writing that Levy can “make up slightly” for the “mistake” of backing his players instead of Mauricio Pochettino after the 2-0 loss to Liverpool in the 2019 Champions League final.

Of course, it isn’t realistic to argue Levy should be swayed by the emotions of the past few days when making a call on Postecoglou’s future, but Law rightfully pointed out there is far more to go off than just that.

There is the growth that Postecoglou showed throughout the season, as evidence in the more pragmatic approach he adopted once he decided to turn his attention towards the Europa League.

“Angeball has not been seen at Spurs for months and this trophy success was built on solidity and a series of streetwise performances. It feels strange to even write that in relation to Tottenham, let alone watch it,” Law wrote.

“In Bilbao, they wasted time, hoofed the ball when they needed, Postecoglou threw on extra defenders and they got over the line. The entertainment was in the winning, instead of risking it all by trying to be unnecessarily pretty.

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“The Australian has reacted to the circumstances. What is to say he cannot do so again by learning from his mistakes and ensuring Spurs can cope far better with the Premier League while also competing well in Europe? He has earned the right to try, at least.”

Tom Allnutt of the Times made a similar point in his column after Thursday’s win, in which he wrote that there are “two key variables” when it comes to deciding whether Postecoglou deserves another chance.

The first being Levy’s view of him as a coach and the second whether the win changed his relationship with the players.

When it comes to the first, Allnutt wrote like Law that “Postecoglou showed he is clearly a more malleable tactician than many gave him credit for”.

“His restricting tactics delivered in the Europa League latter stages, and against United he made the best of a line-up that was deprived of its three prime midfield creators,” added Allnutt.

“He settled for 27 per cent of possession and finished with a back five. If only he had been as adaptable in the Premier League.”

As for the second, Allnutt praised Postecoglou for the way he prepared for the final in a “way that resonated with the players”, including the inclusion of their family members as a focal point and public messaging in press conferences on how important the win would be for the club.

It stood in stark contrast to what Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim offered, telling reporters a Europa League win would change little given the team’s Premier League struggles.

As Allnutt went on to write, Postecoglou’s messages “engage” and he has “always been a storyteller to his core”.

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“A coach who knows the importance of narrative,” Allnutt wrote.

“Sacking any triumphant head coach would be difficult, but Postecoglou? It must be a chairman’s nightmare,” he later added, referencing how much harder it will be to sack Postecoglou given the way he has won over the public.

But as Allnutt also added, for Levy the “analysis will have to be a cold and rational one” and the Premier League results speak for themselves.

“The problem,” Allnutt wrote, “is the weight of evidence against him: the collapse over 37 games in the Premier League this season and, in truth, the slide in the 18 months ever since that breathtaking start”.

Although Allnutt’s colleague, Martin Samuel, wrote in his column for The Times that sacking Postecoglou would “be a hammer blow for morale” and “rob” the Australian of a “deserved chance to lead a new era” at Tottenham.

“This isn’t Erik ten Hag being kept on at Old Trafford after last year’s emotional FA Cup final win over Manchester City. That was a mistake, as Manchester United discovered,” Samuel added.

“They shouldn’t have been swayed by one glorious day. The modern United are serial trophy winners. Ten Hag had won the Carabao Cup the year before too, and it changed nothing about the club.

“He spent poorly, again, his players reverted to bad habits, again. It was all so predictable. Tottenham are different.

“We do not know what this could do for Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham — for the Tottenham of any manager since Juande Ramos, in fact — because actually winning something hasn’t been tried.

“The least Levy should do, and Postecoglou deserves, is to let this play out. Not just in terms of recruitment and pulling power over the summer — although a slot in the Champions League does neither any harm — but for what it could do to morale and self-belief. Give the manager what he wants, what he needs and see where it takes you.”

It isn’t just members of the media who believe Postecoglou has earned a third season in charge.

Club icon Robbie Keane, who was part of the League Cup-winning squad 17 years ago, said on talkSPORT that stability has to be the focus moving forward.

“It’s an unbelievable moment for Spurs, Daniel Levy and the manager, people asked me today do you think the manager will go, but how can you get rid of a manager who just won a European Cup?” Keane said.

“You need stability at the club and you’re not going to get that if you keep changing every couple of years, they need to build on this and build on momentum now.

“There’s no way they can have a season like that next year with the squad that they have, no way, so hopefully they add two or three players and can achieve something.

“... What I do like about Ange is his confidence, he believes in himself and his group of players, yes the season hasn’t been great, I’m not making excuses but when you’re missing three or four key players it can be difficult, especially when it’s guys at the back.”

Former Spurs defender Ramon Vega, meanwhile, said sacking Postecoglou now “would be one of the worst mistakes”.

“He has to continue the work he’s done, these players with his mentality and principles and quality of putting a team together, you can see they’re a team,” Vega said on talkSPORT.

“If the dressing room was not there I’d tell you sack the manager, but this dressing room works for the manager.

“Without a doubt he deserved this win, from the first day everybody was hammering him, but he stuck to his guns and when someone has the mentality of saying he’s going to win in his second season and everyone is laughing, this is the mentality I like. It’s confidence, it’s not arrogance.

“Ange’s mentality really brought a winning formula into this club. When he came to the club, who actually really wanted to come? It’s very, very difficult to manage, he took the risk and winning is the only answer.”

Manchester United and Tottenham will slug it out in the Europa League final on Thursday morning (AEST) in Bilbao, with both sides desperately seeking salvation from dismal Premier League campaigns through silverware and a golden ticket into next season’s Champions League.

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A potential £100 million ($A208 million) honey pot for reaching Europe’s top competition is on the line at the San Mames stadium between two sides languishing near the bottom of the English top flight.

Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils are 16th and with 18 league defeats are enduring their worst top flight campaign in half a century, since their 1974 relegation.

One place lower lie Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs, beaten a club-record 21 times in the league, and on course for their worst season since returning to the top tier in 1978.

With both teams fixated on Europe, their plunge towards the table’s lower echelons has only accelerated in recent weeks.

United are winless in eight league games, their worst such run in Premier League history, falling at Chelsea on Friday in their last outing ahead of the final.

Tottenham also slumped to defeat at Aston Villa for their fifth loss in six league matches.

Spurs are twice winners of this competition, but their victory in 1984 was the club’s last European trophy and they have not won any silverware for 17 years.

They reached a maiden Champions League final in 2019 but came up short in another all-English battle in Spain, losing against Liverpool in a drab contest.

Postecoglou said last week that winning this week’s final “could be a turning point” for the club.

“For me personally, great, it’s another trophy I can reminisce about in my old age,” the Spurs boss said.

“But more importantly for the club, I’ve always said that it’s the significance of what it does to people that really impacts you.

“A lot of the success I’ve had has been really significant stuff. Yokohama hadn’t won the championship for 14 years, Australia had never won a continental championship, and Brisbane hadn’t won one.

“South Melbourne, my first job, hadn’t won in seven years and Celtic was one year, but that’s a long time in Scotland. They had to wrestle back the dominance they’ve had for so long.

“When you look at the historical backdrop of this club for the past 20-odd years, it feels like a turning point for how people perceive this club and how this club perceives itself, which I think is the biggest thing.

“Until you do it, irrespective of what else you accomplish, people are going to say you haven’t won anything. In our game, and in life in general, that’s the things that matter most when people asses where you are at.”

Despite United’s gradual decline since legendary former manager Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, they did win the FA Cup and League Cup in the past two seasons under Amorim’s predecessor Erik ten Hag.

The Portuguese has endured a torrid time since taking charge in November, winning just six of his 26 Premier League games.

But the Europa League has been a different story as United thrashed Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao, either side of a famous fightback from 6-4 down to beat Lyon 7-6 on aggregate in the quarter-finals that sparked memories of the club’s dramatic Champions League final victory in 1999.

Amorim, though, is aware of the scale of the task he faces to turn around the 20-time English champions.

“I’m not concerned about the final, it’s by far the smallest problem in our club,” said the former Sporting Lisbon boss.

“We need to change something that is deeper than this.”

Tottenham were once seen as not much trouble for an all-conquering United. Former United great Roy Keane revealed once Ferguson’s team talk was limited to a dismissive “lads, it’s Spurs”.

This season the London side have won all three meetings, twice in the Premier League as well as in the League Cup, with Postecoglou unbeaten in five matches at the helm against United.

“If you think about the odds it’s hard for the club to lose four times in a row,” said Amorim.

With players like Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, United have both experience and quality at their disposal.

“They know how to win trophies, Tottenham don’t,” said former United midfielder Paul Scholes, who played alongside Keane.

Despite the team’s diabolical domestic form the Portuguese coach is expected to stay, bolstered by the thrilling unbeaten surge to the Europa League final.

The same cannot be said for Postecoglou. The Australian is almost certain to depart if he fails to deliver on his promise to win a trophy in his second season in charge.

Spurs’ bad luck with injuries this season continues with midfielders James Maddison, Lucas Bergvall and Dejan Kulusevski all missing for the final, but captain Son Heung-min is back fit.

They survived an Arctic trip in the semi-finals at Bodo/Glimt, but Postecoglou may still be frozen out even if his team triumphs.

“(If we win) it’s going to upset a lot of people isn’t it?” said the Australian. “Who cares if we’re struggling in the league ... I’m looking forward to it and it should be a great game.”