Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham tenure will be defined by a statement that has served as the backdrop to tonight’s Europa League final.
“Usually in my second season I win things,” the Spurs boss boldly stated ahead of the first match of his second campaign in charge.
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Speaking in August, Postecoglou added: “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, following a 1-0 home defeat in September by north London rivals Arsenal, the Australian doubled down on his claim.
“I’ll correct myself — I don’t usually win things, I always win things in my second year, nothing’s changed,” he reiterated to Sky post-match. “I’ve said it now. I don’t say things unless I believe them.”
That narrative has continued to be levied at Postecoglou throughout what has been a historically poor season for Spurs.
Tottenham languish 17th in the Premier League table and are on course to finish in their lowest position since the Premier League’s inception in 1992, having already broken their record for most top-flight defeats in a single season with their lowest points total.
The Lilywhites crashed out of the Carabao Cup to Liverpool in the semi-finals, before Aston Villa ended their FA Cup dreams.
Spurs haven’t won a trophy since 2008, but Postecoglou has experience of ending decade-long droughts of winning silverware.
The 59-year-old knows that success in the Europa League final is the club’s last hope of having the last laugh…
Has Postecoglou won a trophy every second year?
Yes, the Ange mythology is based on facts, with the Aussie winning in his second season or second full season in charge of his various clubs.
Since breaking into top-flight professional management in 2009, Postecoglou has won titles in his homeland, Asia, and Scotland.
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However, his first taste of success as a manager came at his boyhood club, South Melbourne, where he spent nine years as a player.
Postecoglou steered his side to the league title in his second season before spending seven years coaching Australia’s youth teams.
12 months into his stint with Australia’s U17s, he oversaw the first of three OFC U-17 Championship triumphs, with his U20s claiming the AFF U-20 Youth Championship in the middle of his two-year tenure.
Postecoglou then had brief spells at Greek side Panachaiki (nine months) and Australian outfit Whittlesea Zebras (three months).
Neither role lasted until the second season, but he bounced back in style upon his move to Brisbane Roar in 2009.
Following a second-bottom finish in his debut campaign, Postecoglou stormed to A-League Championship glory during the 2010/11 term.
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He retained their title the following year before having 18 months at Melbourne Victory, where he failed to see out his second season.
Postecoglou was appointed Australia’s national team boss at the end of 2013, with his first match at the helm being that November.
The Socceroos finished bottom of their 2014 World Cup group, but by January 2015, he’d masterminded Asian Cup glory on home soil.
Three years later, Postecoglou made the move to Japan with Yokohama F. Marinos, and a second-season league title followed.
Postecoglou came to Celtic in June 2021 with the backdrop of Steven Gerrard having guided an Invincible Rangers to the SPFL title.
Unlike previous positions, he did not need two seasons before winning, as the Bhoys won five trophies in his two years at the club.
Postecoglou will now be hoping to guide Tottenham to Europa League glory against Manchester United, live on talkSPORT tonight.
