Tottenham Hotspur gaffer Ange Postecoglou has revealed he remains “very” hungry to build on his success after leading the club to the Europa League trophy, despite doubts about his future.
The Australian’s job still looks to be on the line as the club sit 17th on the Premier League table after a horrible domestic campaign.
Spurs brought an end to their 17-year trophy drought after defeating Manchester United 1-0 on Bilbao to win their first European trophy since 1984.
“Very [hungry to build on it], we’ve got a really young group of players and you can talk to them about success and what it means but until they feel it, it doesn’t become real,” Postecoglou said to reporters.
“I still feel there’s a lot of work to be done and I think that’s quite obvious – but not as much work as people may think.
“People can bang on about our 20 league defeats and where we are but they’re missing the point of what we’re trying to build here or what I’m trying to do anyway and I really feel that tonight can be a great platform for us to keep on.”
The coach also said he was not sweating on his future, which he accepts is under heavy scrutiny, but would prefer to stay if he can.
“Relaxed is not the word [for how I feel], because I’d be disappointed if we couldn’t continue on this path,” he added.
“I understand why it would be difficult for a club like this to buy into one person’s vision…
“I’m a winner, I’ve been a serial winner my whole career… people dismiss my achievements because they didn’t happen on this side of the world but for me they’re all hard-earned and all I’ve done my whole career is win things.”
Postecoglou, who lifted trophies with Celtic, Australian side Brisbane Roar and Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos, said he thinks Tottenham can progress to further success in the near future.
“We’re in the Champions League [next season], my thought process of what I’ve been doing this year is trying to build a team that can be successful for four, five, six years,” he said to TNT Sports.
“But I’m the manager of the football club. That decision is not in my hands.”
Postecoglou had stated that he always wins a trophy in the second season at the helm of his clubs and his words came true at San Mames.
“It was me just making a declaration, and I believed it – at the time I said it, I was still looking out for our club,” said the 59-year-old.
“I know our league form has been terrible, but us finishing third wasn’t going to change this football club.
“The only thing that was going to change this football club was us winning something. And when I said that, that was my intent.”
