Ange Postecoglou has always been a deep thinker – and that was on full display following Tottenham’s triumph in the Europa League final on Wednesday night.
At the start of the post-game press conference in Spain, Postecoglou left a room of football journalists scratching their heads after referencing a significant Australian political figure.
‘To quote my favourite Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating… after an unlikely victory, this one is for the true believers,’ he began.
‘We have an unbelievable group of players who never waivered or lost faith in me.
‘I understand the disappointment we have put our fans through this season, particularly in the (Premier) league.
‘But seeing them the impact (win) this has had… it is a reward for them.’
Ange Postecoglou has always been a deep thinker – and it was on full display following Tottenham’s triumph in the Europa League final
At the start of the post-game press conference, Postecoglou left a room of football journalists stunned after referencing former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating (pictured, in 1992)
Any non-Australian football fan would have had no idea what the Hotspur boss was talking about.
In March of 1993, Keating achieved an extraordinary victory in the Australian federal election, leading the Labor Party to a historic fifth straight term in office.
At the time, Keating was widely tipped to lose out to the Coalition government, led by Dr John Hewson.
Keating remains a polarising figure in Australia due to his long history of using his wit and sharp tongue to slam figures on the conservative side of politics.
He is also widely remembered for saying the country’s dire economic downturn in the late 1980s and early ’90s was ‘the recession we had to have’.
While Spurs players – and their jubilant fans – can enjoy their moment in the sun, Postecoglou’s future at the club will continue to be a talking point.
As Postecoglou boldly stated, he ‘always win a trophy in his second season’ – and against all the odds, ‘Aussie Ange’ delivered.
Undoubtedly the greatest triumph of his managerial career, the trailblazer became the first Australian manager to win a trophy in a major European club competition.
It is widely anticipated Postecoglou (pictured celebrating with his players) will be shown the door at Spurs after a dire season in the Premier League
It was also Tottenham’s first piece of silverware in 17 years.
A scrappy first-half goal from Brennan Johnson was ultimately the difference at the San Mames Stadium, with the victory also guaranteeing Champions League football next season.
It is widely anticipated Postecoglou will be shown the door – and if so, what a glorious ‘mike drop’ exit.
At the fulltime whistle, Postecoglou declared: ‘I do (want to stay). I don’t feel like I’ve completed the job here.
‘The moment I accepted the role, I had one thing in my head, and that is to win something – and we’ve done that now….but I want to build on it.
‘I know our league form’s been terrible (currently 17th), nowhere near good enough and unacceptable, but us finishing third wasn’t going to change this football club.
‘If I fell short, I was happy to cop it, but I believed it inside me. That was my ambition.
‘I wanted it stated (on the record) – and I was prepared to wear it if it didn’t happen.’