Ange Postecoglou maintained a focused demeanour during his post-match interview after leading Tottenham Hotspur to the Europa League final against Manchester United. Reflecting on the team’s triumph over Bodø/Glimt, Postecoglou shared insights into his tactical approach on the challenging artificial pitch, resulting in a solid 2-0 victory and a 5-1 aggregate win.
Despite the positive atmosphere following the match, the mood shifted when a UEFA broadcaster mentioned Postecoglou’s past remark about consistently delivering trophies in his second season. This statement had drawn mockery earlier in the season during a difficult Premier League campaign. Nevertheless, the Australian manager, who has achieved success in his second stint with previous clubs, remained resolute, stating, “We’ll just keep doing what we’re doing.”
Postecoglou’s criticism included his acknowledgement of the unique challenges he faced while managing Spurs in the Premier League, where they have struggled this season. However, with his eyes now set on an all-English final on May 22 in Bilbao, he expressed pride in his players for their disciplined performance against a tricky Bodø side.
He praised the team’s tactical discipline, which effectively neutralised Bodø/Glimt’s high-tempo game plan. Postecoglou’s strategy involved controlling the rhythm of the match, maintaining a strong press, and creating goal-scoring opportunities, as demonstrated by Dominic Solanke and Pedro Porro’s second-half goals that secured their place in the final.
Postecoglou’s approach further evolved during this crucial fixture, as he opted for a more pragmatic style of play on the difficult pitch, suggesting a shift from his previous inclination to favour a possession-based strategy. “I felt tonight… it made sense for us to be a bit more direct,” he explained.
Despite Spurs’ struggles in the league, Postecoglou highlighted the significance of reaching a final, expressing gratitude to the fans and encouraging them to dream of achieving something special. As the team looks forward to the Europa League final, there is renewed hope among supporters, eager for success following a challenging season.
This achievement marks an important milestone in Postecoglou’s tenure at Tottenham as he aims to build on this momentum, striving for a successful outcome against Manchester United and potentially securing his expected second-season trophy.