‘One for the true believers’ – Ange Postecoglou pays touching tribute after Europa League win
Ange Postecoglou began his post-match press conference with a touching tribute to his players, all the staff at Tottenham Hotspur, the club’s supporters and his loved ones.
Postecoglou’s claim that he always wins trophies in his second season were mocked by various sections of the media and rival fans for much of the campaign.
However, that will now go down in footballing history as one of the most iconic lines ever delivered after the Lilywhites managed to break their 17-year trophy drought at Bilbao with a 1-0 win against Manchester United in the Europa League final.
Against all odds, the Australian has had the last laugh and succeeded at doing something some of the biggest names in football, such as Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho, failed to do: bring silverware to Spurs.
Ange Postecoglou admits he is proud of the Tottenham players
The Tottenham head coach walked out to a standing ovation at the post-match press conference, which would have been extremely sweet, given the kind of battles he has had to fight in the press room all campaign.
Ange Postecoglou gave an emotional and classy first response, praising the players, the supporters and his loved ones for sticking with him through thick and thin.
When asked how it feels to have his ambition of achieving something special at Tottenham realised, the 59-year-old said (via Football.London): “It’s hard to put into words the emotions. I’m super proud of the players. To quote my favourite Australian prime minister, Paul Keating, after an unlikely victory, he said, ‘This is one for the true believers.’ and this is certainly one of the true believers.
“That means an unbelievable group of players who never wavered, never lost faith in me and what we were doing. Unbelievable football staff, led by brilliant coaches. People who work at the club from the board down, Lilywhite House, the training ground, the supporters.
“I know people think I’ve got this fractious relationship but every supporter I ever bumped into was just so kind in reassuring me they believe in what I was doing. I never felt… I understand the disappointment we put them through this year, particularly in the league, but seeing them tonight, the impact it has on some of them. It’s obviously 17 years since our last trophy, 41 in Europe, some of them have never had a night like this. It’s a reward for them.
“Finally to my beautiful wife, my boys, my family, my friends. They’re all my inspiration. I’m kind of the front man, it’s easy for me to take on the responsibility but they’ve got no choice but to come along for the ride. Seeing them out there on the pitch, a smile on their faces, made me happy.”
Postecoglou pays tribute to his late father
The Tottenham boss has spoken a lot about the influence of his dad in helping him inculcate a love for the game and he paid tribute to him again on the biggest night of his career.
Postecoglou also opened up on how difficult his journey at Tottenham has been on his loved ones, who have been hurt by the intense criticism he has come under.
When asked what his father would have made of his Europa League success, Postecoglou responded: “He’s still with me mate. His voice is in my head all the time and as I get older I look in the mirror and I see his face sometimes, as frightening as that might seem.
“He’s with me all the time mate and my dear mum is with my sister in Greece and my nephews and I’m sure they’re over the moon. Yeah, it’s massive in Australia and in Greece. I’ve got family in both countries and friends in both countries. They’ve been along for the journey the whole way.
“It’s hard because I’m big enough and ugly enough to take whatever comes my way, but they get hurt when people come at me and they pay the price, particularly those closest to me, my beautiful family and my friends. They want to defend me but I keep telling them it’s a small price to pay when you have nights like this.
“I’ve been fortunate that I’ve had plenty of nights like this. Just seeing them tonight and everyone in Australia, they’ll be up early in the morning and they’ll be buzzing, and people in Greece and the people here with me. It’s another special night we share together.”
Tottenham will now have the chance to further add to their trophy cabinet when they take part in the UEFA Super Cup in August.
The post ‘One for the true believers’ – Ange Postecoglou pays touching tribute after Europa League win appeared first on Spurs Web.