Angry Ange Fires Back as Spurs Reach Europa League Final
Tottenham Hotspur are one step away from ending their 17-year wait for a major trophy after securing a dominant 5-1 aggregate win over Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League semi-finals. The 2-0 victory in Norway sets up a blockbuster final against Manchester United in Bilbao on May 21, but manager Angry Ange Postecoglou saw red in the post-match press conference.
Despite Spurs’ league struggles, manager Ange Postecoglou remains unapologetically proud of the team’s European journey. Angry Ange lashed out at those he says are trying to “downplay” their success out of fear that Tottenham might actually go all the way.
Postecoglou Slams Doubters: “They’re Scared We Might Win It”
The outspoken Aussie head coach didn’t hold back when asked about criticism from rival camps and pundits suggesting a Europa League title wouldn’t make up for a lacklustre domestic campaign.
“What’s happening now is people are worried. They’re trying to discredit what we’ve done because deep down, they’re scared it might happen,” Postecoglou said.
He pointedly responded to Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim’s comment that winning the Europa League wouldn’t salvage United’s season: “Ask him why he said that. I couldn’t care less what Manchester United think. For us, this would be massive.”
“We’ve Earned Our Place” – Europa League Final Is No Fluke
Postecoglou was adamant that Spurs’ path to the final was no stroke of luck. He stressed that winning the Europa League would be a monumental achievement for a club that’s endured nearly two decades without silverware.
“People act like league form should disqualify us from a final,” he said. “It’s not that simple. Plenty of teams have finished top four and never made it to a European final. We’ve earned this.”
Spurs’ run has included wins over several high-calibre opponents expected to compete in next season’s Champions League, underlining the quality of their campaign.
Pragmatic Spurs: Tactical Shift Pays Off in Norway
In Thursday night’s second leg, Tottenham adopted a more defensive game plan, ceding possession (just 31%) to a Bodo/Glimt side known for their dominance at home. The decision paid off, with Spurs comfortably seeing out a 2-0 win.
“I love winning. That’s all I’ve done my whole career,” said Postecoglou. “Tonight wasn’t about style—it was about intelligence and execution. The lads nailed it.”
Dressing Room Speech: “This Group Is Going to Do It”
Following the match, Spurs shared behind-the-scenes footage of Postecoglou delivering a passionate speech to his players. In it, he praised the unity and resilience of the squad through a season riddled with adversity.
“I’m so proud of how you’ve stuck together,” he told them. “People don’t understand what it’s taken to get here. Everyone’s contributed—those playing, those injured, everyone.”
He highlighted contributions from sidelined players like Heung-Min Son, James Maddison, and Fraser Forster, crediting the entire squad’s mentality for reaching this stage.
Champions League Qualification on the Line
Victory in Bilbao wouldn’t just bring glory—it would also deliver a place in next season’s Champions League, a lifeline after both Spurs and United underperformed in the Premier League.
Postecoglou cheekily acknowledged the stir this could cause: “That’ll upset a few people, won’t it? Apparently, if you don’t finish top four, your season’s a write-off—even if you win a European trophy. That’s just noise.”
Eyes on Bilbao: “This Is the Group That Will Do It”
With under two weeks until the final, Postecoglou urged focus: “Every training session matters now. This is our moment to do something special.”
Whether or not Spurs lift the trophy, one thing is clear: their manager won’t let critics define their journey. In his words, “This group is going to do it.”
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