With a realistic chance to win their first trophy in 17 years, Tottenham Hotspur will take on Manchester United in the final of the UEFA Europa League in Bilbao. A feisty Spurs manager, Ange Postecoglou, defended his record ahead of the high-stakes final amid a terrible Premier League season, stating: “I’m not a clown”.
Postecoglou was asked at the pre-match press conference at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao whether he is aware that he is walking a fine line between infamy and history ahead of the match in northern Spain by a reporter who used the word “clown” in his story headlined “Ange Postecoglou teetering between hero and clown with Tottenham legacy on the line in Europa League final” for The Standard.
Replying to that statement, Postecoglou said, “That depends on your outlook, but I’ll tell you one thing, irrespective of tomorrow, I’m not a clown and never will be,” he said.
“You really disappointed me that you used such terminology to describe a person that, for 26 years, without any favours from anyone, has worked his way to a position where he is leading out a club in a European major competition. For you to suggest that somehow us not being successful means that I’m a clown, I’m not sure how to answer that question,” he added.
Spurs sit 17th in the Premier League and are enduring one of their worst seasons since the club returned to the top flight in 1978. They have lost a club-record 21 games in the English top flight and sit with 38 points.
The former Australia and Celtic manager Postecoglou said he had worked hard at Spurs, who have not won any European trophy since 1984. “I’ve tried as hard as I can to stick to that process in getting the club to a position where they can challenge for trophies and at the same time, rejuvenate the squad and change the playing style,” he said.
“It has been a fair assignment with plenty of challenges along the way. With such a big game tomorrow, there is an opportunity to fulfil at least the main task I was given, which was to bring trophies to the club,” he concluded.
Disclaimer: We do not own any of the content, ideas, images, or text presented here. All rights belong to their respective owners. For more information and to view the original source, please visit the following link: