.jpg)
4 hours ago
1
He only went and did it.
Ange Postecoglou's self-confident declaration that he "always" wins trophies in his second season was increasingly mocked as the defeats piled up for Tottenham in 2024/25 and they tumbled down the Premier League table.
But Postecoglou and his players kept the show on the road in Europe, claiming an impressive win over Eintracht Frankfurt and seeing off Bodo/Glimt in the semifinals of the Europa League.
That meant a final showdown with Manchester United in Bilbao and Brennan Johnson's scrambled first-half goal secured a 1-0 victory in a low-quality, high-tension encounter.
Tottenham's first trophy for 17 years propels them into the Champions League and means Postecoglou has made good on his prophecy.
MORE: Highlights and stats from Tottenham's Europa League final win
Speaking about the focus on this remark after the final at San Mames, Postecoglou told TNT Sports: "People misinterpreted me. It was not me boasting, just me making a declaration and I believed it. I had this thing inside me more than anything else.
"I know our league form has been unacceptable, but coming third was not going to change this football club; winning a trophy would. That was my ambition, and I was prepared to wear it if it did not happen.
"People kept reminding me of it because we were getting closer, but I'm happy with that."
And here's the thing: he wasn't bluffing.
Ange Postecoglou trophies won in his second season
Before going through the list, let's go back to those all-important words from earlier in the season.
"Usually in my second season [in charge of a team], I win things," he said last August. "That’s the whole idea.
"The first year is about establishing principles and creating a foundation. Hopefully, the second year is going on to win things."
A month later, when speaking to Sky Sports, he noted he'd sold himself short.
"I'll correct myself: I don't usually win things, I always win things in my second year," he said. "Nothing's changed. I've said it now. I don't say things unless I believe them."
So, does history back up the claim? Here's how his second seasons have transpired.
Brisbane Roar
Postecoglou succeeded Frank Rarina as Brisbane Roar coach in October 2009 and asked for time as he oversaw a squad overhaul. In 2011/12, the Roar won the A-League Grand Final. They lost just one game all season and went on a 36-game unbeaten run. In 2012/13, they became the first team to win back-to-back A-League championships.
Melbourne Victory
Okay, so here's the asterisk. Postecoglou was only with the Victory for 18 months between April 2012 and October 2013, meaning he did not complete two full seasons. They lost an A-League Preliminary Final to Central Coast Mariners.
Australia
The Socceroos came calling for the hottest coach in the domestic game in October 2013. We're working more in cycles than seasons here, but after three defeats out of three at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Postecoglou led Australia to victory on home soil in the AFC Asian Cup.
Yokohama F. Marinos
Asian Cup success helped to pave the path to Japan in January 2018, where Postecoglou took over a Yokohama F. Marinos side that finished 12th in his first season at the helm. A run to the final of the J-League Cup gave them something to build on and the following year they won their first J1 League title for 15 years.
Celtic
The deck has never been stacked so heavily in Postecoglou's favour as it was with the Scottish Premiership heavyweights. There was no need to wait until season two as Celtic won the top-flight and League Cup double in 2021/22. The following season, they swept the board with a domestic treble.
Tottenham
A swashbuckling start to life at Spurs subsided in 2023/24 as they missed out on Champions League qualification. That has long been out of the question via the Premier League this season, and the fact Tottenham could finish as low as 17th means Postecoglou could pay with his job irrespective of the joy in Bilbao. But he would leave knowing he kept his pledge.
English (US)