Tottenham supervisor Ange Postecoglou set excessive expectations early within the season when he claimed that he all the time wins trophies in his second 12 months on the helm. “Normally in my second season I win issues,” he stated in August, explaining that his first 12 months is about constructing a basis and his second 12 months is when success follows. He doubled down on this assertion in September, telling Sky Sports activities, “I’ll right myself – I all the time win issues in my second 12 months.”
With a confirmed observe report on this space, Postecoglou’s daring declaration now faces its greatest check. The 59-year-old’s probability to show himself arrives on Wednesday evening within the Europa League closing towards Manchester United in Bilbao. A victory would add one other piece of silverware to his assortment, a Champions League spot for Tottenham, and maybe safe his job, relying on the end result.
Postecoglou’s “second-season success” is a theme that runs via his profession. His first style of success got here in 1998 with South Melbourne, profitable the Nationwide Soccer League in his second season. He adopted that with one other league title earlier than transitioning to educate the Australian nationwide youth groups. Throughout his time in these roles, he led Australia to Oceania titles at each Below-17 and Below-20 ranges, additional solidifying his second-year success.
After stints with Panachaiki in Greece and Whittlesea Zebras in Australia—neither lengthy sufficient to check his second-season declare—Postecoglou discovered his rhythm with Brisbane Roar. Taking on in 2009, he led the workforce to back-to-back A-League championships in 2011 and 2012, making Brisbane the primary membership in A-League historical past to take action. This success made Postecoglou essentially the most profitable coach in Australian soccer with 4 nationwide titles.
Postecoglou’s subsequent large step was managing the Australian nationwide workforce, the place he achieved a significant milestone by profitable the 2015 Asia Cup, Australia’s first. He then moved to Japan in 2017 to handle Yokohama F. Marinos. After a rocky first season, he led the workforce to their first J-League title in 15 years in 2019, as soon as once more proving the ability of his second-year teaching.
An identical story unfolded in Scotland, the place Postecoglou took cost of Celtic. Whereas he didn’t have to attend for a second season to win the league title in 2022, his second 12 months noticed even larger success as he clinched the Scottish Premiership, Cup, and League Cup within the 2022/23 season.
Now, at Tottenham, Postecoglou’s declare faces its final check within the Europa League closing towards Manchester United. The match represents a chance for him to increase his spectacular second-season report, with the added stakes of probably securing silverware and a Champions League spot for the membership.
Postecoglou stays assured, insisting that his future isn’t tied to 1 sport. In a pre-match press convention, he stated, “My future is assured. I wouldn’t be the primary particular person to vary jobs. I’ve bought an attractive household, I’ve bought an excellent life, I’ll carry on profitable trophies till I end wherever that’s.” Whereas his future will not be in danger, he acknowledges there’s a lot nonetheless to perform at Tottenham.
“I don’t assume my job is finished right here. I feel a trophy would speed up that, and I feel there’s quite a bit nonetheless to be completed. That’s apparent,” he added. Regardless of a difficult season, Postecoglou stays targeted on continued progress for the membership, whatever the speedy final result.
The Europa League closing kicks off at 8pm tonight on the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao. Followers within the UK can watch the match at no cost on discovery+ by registering a free account, or on TNT Sports activities 1 and TNT Sports activities Final. The sport is about to be an exhilarating conclusion to a season of excessive stakes for each groups.
Newest Odds:
- 2/1 Tottenham
- 7/4 Draw
- 11/10 Manchester United
