Ange reveals the moment laser focus on Europa League kicked in
- By Yann Tear
- May 22
- 2 min read
Ange Postecoglou admits he decided to effectively sacrifice league form to fulfil his bid to land the Europa League trophy - having identified it as the one Spurs could win.
Wednesday night in Bilbao saw the culmination of a single-minded approach that first surfaced at the turn of the year.
Speaking after his side's 1-0 win over Man United in an all-English final at the San Nsmes stadium, the Spurs coach revealed the mindset that took over his planning during a domestically troubling second half of the season.
"When we got to the end of the January transfer window, I assessed our situation and made the decision there and then that this was the trophy we were going to go for," the Aussie revealed.
"I was probably at odds with what other people at the club believed we should do, but I just really believed we could win this and everything we've done since then in terms of training and teams I've selected has been about making sure that when the Europa games cane around, we would be in the best possible position to tackle them.
"That's come at a cost, for sure, in the league, snd I've got to take some responsibility for that. But I just felt, that the chance of winning something was more important, and it was the only way I was going to do it."
Postecoglou added: "Until players feel success, it doesn't become real - and having this feeling, they'll want it again. To get it again, they're going to have to make some sacrifices.
"They've climbed a mountain but know now what it takes. Tonight can be a great platform for us to kick on ."
Ange admitted to relief at winning the cup but also joy at proving doubters wrong.
"To quote my favourite Australian Prime Minister, Paul Keating, he said after sn unlikely victory: 'This is one for the believers.
"It's an unbelievable group of players who never wavered or lost faith in me or what we were doing "
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