Ange Postecoglou has delivered the ultimate response to his critics, leading Tottenham to their first European silverware since 1984 and delivering on the bold promise he made eight months ago.
Brennan Johnson’s scrambled goal ended a 17-year Tottenham trophy drought with a battling 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Europa League final on Thursday (AEST).
Spurs will now play in next season’s Champions League but despite their triumph in Bilbao, Postecoglou’s future is still on the line following a dour domestic campaign, with Spurs sitting a place below United in the lower reaches of the Premier League table.
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Final whistle – Ange strikes Europa gold | 00:55
The Australian furiously insisted he was “not a clown” on the eve of the final and had the last laugh on a nerve-racking night at the San Mames, as he made good on his now-infamous claim to always win a trophy in his second season in charge of a club.
Australian football great Mark Bosnich described it as one of the greatest sporting feats achieved by an Australian.
“It really has been a dark season (for Spurs) .. so for him to come out on top, and all those players and all these fans after all that adversity, is a wonderful achievement,” Bosnich said on Stan Sports.
“I think it’s got to be up there with one of the greatest achievements in Australian sport.”
Postecoglou following through on his infmaous promise made in September — when he declared “I always win things in my second season” — was a strong theme as many took to social media to praise the Australian.
I always win things in my second year | 01:16
Socceroos legend Craig Foster described Postecoglou’s feat as a “masterpiece”.
“It’s already historic to have an Australian coach in this environment… No Australian sporting fan could or would underestimate the difficulty of being there, the difficulty of this season managing through it and somehow keeping this group together,” Foster said on Stan Sport.
“Somehow being able to manage the public narrative of ‘is he going, is he not going’, all of that.
“It was a masterpiece but it was a masterpiece in a very different way and that’s what’s beautiful about it.
Johnson capitalises! Spurs strike first | 00:45
“Ange didnt have to prove any more that he could produce wonderful attacking football, in fact he almost had to prove the opposite. What he has tried to do with Spurs was to give them a winning mentalty which he has proven he has.
“… Given the circumstances of the club, given the injuries they had (this season) … to get from there to win this is an extraordinary achievement. It’s magnificent.”
“As good as a goal!” Micky saves Spurs | 00:43