Ange Postecoglou’s declaration that he always won trophies in his second season with clubs hung over him all season – but he insists it was taken the wrong way after landing Europa League glory with Tottenham
Ange Postecoglou claims his “I always win in my second season” quote was misinterpreted despite him delivering on that promise as he led Tottenham to Europa League glory. The north Londoners edged out Manchester United in Bilbao.
The Australian manager piled pressure on himself when he declared that his career dictated that he always delivered a trophy in his second year in a job. He came up with a fifth placed finish in his debut season and was looking to take the next step.
When he made his claim Tottenham were still in the hunt for the Carabao Cup and in the Europa League with the FA Cup yet to begin. As the season went on his side were dumped out of several tournaments and slid down the Premier League table.
He continued to be quizzed on whether he would actually deliver on his vow but Postecoglou insists he didn’t make it to be arrogant, instead he wanted to underline his ambition.
The Tottenham boss said on his now iconic quote: “People misinterpreted me. It was not me boasting, just me making a declaration and I believed it. I had this thing inside me more than anything else.
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“I know our league form has been unacceptable, but coming third was not going to change this football club, winning a trophy would, that was my ambition and I was prepared to wear it if it did not happen. People kept reminding me of it because we were getting closer but I’m happy with that.”
Brennan Johnson was the man who scored the goal that ultimately delivered the trophy in Bilbao. The success was all the more seismic for the club given it has been 17 years since their last piece of silverware – a stick that was continually used to beat those at Tottenham.
Postecoglou acknowledged that the longer the wait went on the harder it became to break the drought, but was thrilled to have finally been the man to end it. “I know what it means for this football club. The longer it goes, the harder it is to break that cycle,” he said.
“I could sense the nerves in everyone at the club and until you take that monkey off your back you never understand what it feels like. We have a young group and I hope by tasting this, the players feel different about themselves and what it means to them is unbelievable.”
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