- Tottenham take on Man United in Wednesday’s Europa League final in Bilbao
- Ange Postecoglou tears into journalist who said defeat would make him a ‘clown’
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Should Oliver Glasner leave Palace for Spurs?
Ange Postecoglou turned his ire on a reporter during a tetchy press conference ahead of Tottenham’s Europa League final against Man United.
The two struggling Premier League sides will go face to face in Bilbao on Wednesday night knowing that victory would not only see them lift silverware but also grant them a place in next season’s Champions League.
It is a prize which would go a long way towards rescuing what has been a miserable campaign for both clubs. Man United are enduring their worst ever Premier League season and sit 16th in the table with 18 defeats. And Spurs’ domestic form has been even worse — they have lost three more matches and are a point below their rivals in 17th.
That has led to speculation that Postecoglou could face the axe as Tottenham manager with reports this week claiming that the club were lining up Ajax boss Francesco Farioli as a potential replacement.
Delivering Tottenham’s first piece of silverware for 17 years — the 2008 League Cup — could prove the difference between tragedy and triumph for the Australian in his second season at the club.
But when asked by Dan Kilpatrick of The Standard whether he is ‘walking a fine line’ between a successful and disastrous campaign, Postecoglou couldn’t hide his anger.
Ange Postecoglou did not take kindly to being dubbed a ‘clown’ in a newspaper column
Spurs train in the Bilbao sun ahead of Wednesday’s Europa League final against Man United
Heung-min Son (centre) insists he is ‘physically ready’ to play after overcoming a foot injury
Earlier on Tuesday, the Standard journalist had claimed in his column that defeat against Man United would make Postecoglou ‘a clown’ and the former Celtic boss did not take kindly to that suggestion.
‘That depends on your outlook Dan,’ said Postecoglou.
‘But I’ll tell you one thing, irrespective of tomorrow, I’m not a clown. I never will be, mate.
‘Really disappointed you used such terminology about a person who for 26 years, without any favours from anyone, has worked his way to be in a position where he’s leading a club in a European major competition.
‘For you to suggest that, somehow, us not being successful means that I’m a clown, not really sure how to answer that question.’
Postecoglou has spoken proudly of his record of always winning a trophy in his second season at a club.
He won the Australian title with both South Melbourne and Brisbane Roar and the Japanese league with Yokohama F. Marinos — all in his second season or second full season in charge.
Postecoglou also won the Asian Cup two years after becoming Australia boss — and the Scottish championship in both seasons with Celtic.
Archie Gray, 19, has impressed for Tottenham since signing from Leeds United last summer
Postecoglou barks out instructions to his team ahead of the biggest game of his Spurs career
Tottenham have the chance to win their first piece of silverware since the 2008 League Cup
Even if he were to repeat the trick on Wednesday night, that may not be enough to save his job with Mail Sport reporting last month that the club’s European fate would not be the determining factor in Postecoglou’s future.
But the 59-year-old insisted he is losing no sleep over the speculation.
‘My future is assured mate, don’t… I wouldn’t be the first person who changes jobs mate, we all change jobs, I’m sure you’ve had more than one job,’ he said.
‘My future’s assured. I’ve got a beautiful family, I’ve got a great life, I’ll keep on winning trophies until I finish, wherever that is.
‘So, don’t worry about my future, mate. My future is not tied with anything, my future is assured.
‘Provided, God willing, my health remains, my beautiful family is beside me, my friends, there’s nothing wrong with my future mate.’
