Ange Postecoglou slams critics and reveals what will 'upset people' ahead of Europa League final
Context:
Tottenham Hotspur secured a place in the Europa League final after defeating FK Bodø/Glimt with a 5-1 aggregate score, despite a challenging Premier League season where they currently sit 16th. The team's recent failures in domestic cups have left the Europa League as their sole opportunity for a trophy, something they haven't achieved since 2008. Coach Ange Postecoglou has criticized those who doubt Tottenham's right to compete for the trophy, emphasizing that their league struggles are separate from their European campaign. He contends that both Tottenham and Manchester United, who also reached the final, deserve their spots despite what critics say. The outcome of the Europa League final, set to take place on May 21 at San Mames, will determine if Tottenham can end their 17-year title drought and potentially silence their detractors.
Dive Deeper:
Tottenham Hotspur reached the Europa League final with a convincing 5-1 aggregate victory over Norwegian club FK Bodø/Glimt, marking a rare high point in an otherwise difficult season.
The club's last title win was the EFL Cup in 2007-08, and since then, they have faced ongoing criticism for their inability to secure silverware, with the Europa League now representing their only chance this season.
Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham's head coach, has responded to critics by asserting that the team's Europa League success is independent of their struggles in the Premier League, where they are currently ranked 16th.
Postecoglou argues that both Tottenham and fellow finalists Manchester United have earned their places in the final, despite ongoing debates about their merits and the season's overall performance.
The coach highlights that critics are apprehensive about Tottenham's potential triumph, suggesting that detractors are attempting to undermine the significance of their achievement if they win the Europa League.
Tottenham's path to the final included overcoming domestic disappointments, such as their eliminations from the EFL Cup and the FA Cup, intensifying the focus on their European endeavor.
The Europa League final on May 21 at San Mames will be a decisive moment for Tottenham, as they aim to end their long-standing trophy drought and potentially reshape public perception of their capabilities.
Tottenham Hotspur have booked their spot in the Europa League final after bagging a massive 5-1 victory on aggregate against Norwegian club FK Bodø/Glimt.
After their 3-1 win against Bodø/Glim in the first leg of the Europa League semifinal, Spurs found the back of the net twice at Aspmyra Stadion last night.
Tottenham are having a tough season, especially in the Premier League, where they stand 16th in the table with three matches remaining. Spurs were eliminated from the EFL Cup semifinal, and then from the FA Cup fourth round, leaving the Europa League as their only hope of silverware.
Tottenham last won a title back 17 years back, which was the EFL Cup in 2007–08. They have been on the receiving end of crushing criticism for the trophy drought.
Now, as Tottenham are on their way to potentially lift a trophy, head coach Ange Postecoglou has hit back at critics, claiming that their potential Europa League title win is 'going to upset a lot of people.'
What did Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou say?
Along with Tottenham, Man United have also advanced to the Europa League final. With the match between two underperforming Premier League clubs upcoming, the 59-year-old manager has claimed (comments via BBC Sport) that his squad's chances of winning a trophy are not favored by many.
"It's going to upset a lot of people isn't it. The debate's now raging. The latest one is that neither of us will be able to get a trophy if we win, they're just going to take a team photo because we're not worthy."
Postecoglou also hit back at the criticism of Tottenham's bad run in the Premier League, claiming it to be a 'separate thing' from their form in the Europa League.
"I mean, who cares if we're struggling in the league? It's a separate thing. It's got nothing to do with league form. I couldn't care less who's struggling and who's not. I think both us and Manchester United have earned the right to be there."
Postecoglou once again mentioned that the critics are 'fearing' Spurs' possibility of winning a trophy now, and are thereby claiming that his side does not 'deserve' it.
"I've said all along that this is important. What's happening now is people are fearing that - that it actually might happen, and let's see how we can tear it down somehow and diminish it somehow by saying it's been a poor season and we don't deserve this or we don't deserve that, or somehow comparing us to Man Utd," added Postecoglou.
It remains to be seen which one of the Premier League clubs will be able to claim the Europa League trophy on May 21, at San Mames.
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