Ange Postecoglou has claimed Tottenham winning the Europa League would be bigger than Manchester United winning the FA Cup.
The Spurs boss hit out at critics he said wanted to belittle his club’s bid to lift a first trophy since 2008 and a first European title since the UEFA Cup in 1984.
‘People are always trying to diminish it,’ said Postecoglou, ahead of tonight’s semi-final first leg at home to Bodo/Glimt of Norway. I’ve heard people say, “well, it’s the equivalent of Man United winning the FA Cup”. No, it ain’t. I’m sorry, not on any planet is it the equivalent.
‘Others, suggesting maybe we’re not worthy of Champions League. I mean, again, they’re things designed to diminish what’s ahead of us, which is an unbelievable opportunity.’
With Postecoglou under pressure after an awful Premier League campaign, comparisons have been drawn to Erik ten Hag last year, keeping his job as Manchester United boss after winning the FA Cup, only to be fired and replaced by Ruben Amorim five months later.
Ange Postecoglou has claimed Tottenham winning the Europa League would be bigger than Manchester United winning the FA Cup ahead of their clash with Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt
He hit out at critics he said wanted to belittle his club’s bid to lift a first trophy since 2008
Spurs beat Frankfurt 2-1 on aggregate to book their place in the Europa League semi-final
‘Irrespective of how this season’s gone we have generations of fans who want this more than anything else,’ said Postecoglou. ‘To share again with the people that they love, a special moment, supporting their football club.
‘So, this season could have gone a lot differently and we could be flying in the league, but it wouldn’t make this opportunity any different, the opportunity is the same.
‘I’ve made that clear to the players. We’re disappointed obviously with Sunday at Liverpool. We were nowhere near the level needed, but that’s something we need to deal with separately.
‘What we have before us is a semi-final of a European competition with an opportunity to get to a final, win a trophy, Champions League football. For the players and everyone involved at the football club, it’s a brilliant opportunity.’