Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has responded to claims from a journalist that he would be known as a “clown” if he were to lose the Europa League final
Manchester United take on Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night in the Europa League final, a must-win game for both clubs due to their abysmal Premier League campaigns.
Both clubs have suffered their worst season in Premier League history, but have managed to put together performances in Europe to reach the final in Bilbao.
Bruno Fernandes has been a shining light for United, while Ange Postecoglou’s side have struggled to play a regular team, with injuries across the pitch.
A win on Wednesday is crucial to both clubs, as victory means that the winning team will compete in the Champions League next season.
Rúben Amorim could win his first trophy as United manager, potentially giving him more time without the pressure of the sack next season and Tottenham could win their first trophy since 2008 and their first European trophy since the UEFA Cup in 1984.
Postecoglou responds to “clown” comments
Speaking to TNT Sports ahead of the Europa League Final, Postecoglou responded to comments from a journalist from The Standard, that claimed he would be a “clown” if he lost on Wednesday.
The journalist who described the Tottenham manager as a “clown” asked if Postecoglou knew that he “was walking a fine line” between being hailed as a success and as a failure.
“I’ll tell you one thing,” said the Australian: “Irrespective of tomorrow, I’m not a clown and I never will be mate.”
“You should be really disappointed that you would use such terminology about a person, who for 26 years, without any favours from anyone, has worked his way to a position where he’s leading out a club in a European major competition.”
“For you to suggest that somehow us [Tottenham] not being successful means that I’m a clown, I’m not really sure how to answer that question.”
Europa success more important for Amorim
While some believe Postecoglou could face the sack if Tottenham fail to win in Bilbao, winning the Europa League could actually be more important for Amorim’s future at United.
Many managers, including Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford, are given more time at a club if they win a trophy and, as such, are supported more in the transfer window.
Winning the Europa League, could see Amorim sign more players like Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu and Ayden Heaven join the Red Devils. It could even allow the Portuguese manager to be more ruthless in selling players that he doesn’t believe have a future while he is the boss.
Tottenham also have less financial concerns compared to United, who need money coming into the club if they want to stop the constant redundancies at Old Trafford.
Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is streamed live every Thursday at 12:30 pm (BST) on the United View YouTube channel.