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Ange Postecoglou is enjoying the last laugh after his stance on 'always winning things in my second season' was proven right with Tottenham's Europa League win over Man United.
Ange Postecoglou insists he’s far from done at Tottenham Hotspur after guiding the club to its first piece of silverware in 17 years, declaring: “Mate, I’m a winner.”
The Australian delivered a historic 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final at Bilbao’s San Mames Stadium, with Brennan Johnson’s first-half goal sealing the win and ending Spurs’ long-standing wait for a trophy.
While his Premier League campaign has come under fire—Tottenham currently sit 17th in the table—Postecoglou was adamant that the European triumph is just the beginning of what he is building in North London after previously insisting he always delivered in his second season.
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"I always win things in my second year. Nothing has changed. I don't say things unless I believe them," Postecoglou declared after he had just seen his side lose 1-0 at home to rivals Arsenal back in September, which left many laughing him off.
Yet, the 59-year-old Australian, who took charge of Spurs in July 2023, has now enjoyed the last laugh.
Postecoglou: We Are Still Building This Team
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Speaking to TNT Sports post-match and reported by The Athletic, the former Celtic boss didn’t shy away from questions about his future. “Whatever happens, happens,” he said. “We’re still building this team.
"My thought process is to put together a side that can be successful for four, five, six years. But I’m just the manager—those decisions aren’t mine to make.”
Pressed on whether he wants to stay at the club, Postecoglou made his stance clear: “I do. I don’t feel like the job is done yet—we’re still building. But from the moment I took the job, my focus was on winning something. We’ve done that now, and we can use it as a platform to push on.”
Postecoglou revealed that no meetings had been scheduled with chairman Daniel Levy or the board regarding his future, but admitted he would be disappointed if he wasn’t allowed to continue the project.
“Relaxed isn’t the word—I’d be disappointed if we couldn’t keep going on this path,” he said. “But I get it. For a club like this, it’s not easy to commit to one person’s vision. Even when I joined, Daniel said, ‘We’ve tried to bring in winners, it didn’t work, now we’ve got Ange.’ But mate, I’m a winner.”
The final whistle in Bilbao didn’t just mark the end of a game—it validated the message Postecoglou had been preaching all season. Known for delivering success in his second year, the Australian now has the trophy to match the prediction, with the added bonus of securing Champions League football for next season.
Brennan Johnson, the match-winner, was full of praise for his manager. “He’s done his job. He told us he wins things in his second year—and he has,” Johnson told TNT Sports. “If ever there was a moment for a mic drop, it’s now. I can’t thank him enough for the trust he’s shown, especially in this competition.”
Postecoglou, reflecting on the moment in his press conference, emphasised the potential of his young squad. “I’m very hungry to keep pushing this team forward,” he said. “Tonight, they climbed the mountain. That feeling they have now—they’ll want it again. People talk about the league defeats, but they miss what we’re building. This is a team that can hit a high standard for years.”
He ended with a nod to his homeland, quoting former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating: “This is one for the true believers.”
Tottenham wrap up their Premier League season on Sunday against Brighton, but in Postecoglou’s mind, the real journey has only just begun.
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