Ange Postecoglou critics eat ‘humble pie’ as Spurs coach delivers on second-year promise

Ange Postecoglou has responded to his critics in the best possible way after guiding Tottenham to their first piece of silverware in 17 years with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final.

The Australian stuck to his words from last year that “I don’t usually win things, I always win things in my second year”, with a triumph that secures Spurs a spot in the lucrative Champions League in 2025-26.

Postecoglou has come under fire during his two seasons in charge at Spurs for his divisive tactics and combative handling of the press as much as for steering his side to 17th place on the Premier League table – one spot above relegation – with one game to play.

Brennan Johnson’s scrappy first-half goal was enough to end Tottenham’s 41-year wait for a continental cup and give Postecoglou a lifeline, as the Spurs boss became the first Australian manager to win a European trophy, while also forcing his harshest critics to eat “humble pie”.

Football fans across the world, as well as some of the stiffest competitors his sides have faced on the field, were quick to throw their support behind the 59-year-old as Spurs bask in their Europa League glory.

Big Ange proven correct. He always wins in his second season 😂😂👏👏👏. A lot of people eating a lot of humble pie right now… Get in there!!! Delighted for the big Aussie👏👏👏 — Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) May 21, 2025

He did say he’d win in his second season. Congratulations! — Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) May 21, 2025

Postecoglou started his football journey with South Melbourne as a player and title-winning captain who went on to coach his boyhood club to back-to-back championships in the National Soccer League.

Less successful stints with the Young Socceroos and Greek third division club Panachaiki followed before Postecoglou returned to Australia to lead Brisbane Roar and soon had “Roarcelona” lighting up the A-League on the way to a pair of titles with the first built on a record 36-match unbeaten run.

The Socceroos’ breakthrough Asian Cup – won in extra time against a South Korea side including the current Spurs captain, Son Heung-min – followed in 2015 before Postecoglou returned to club land.

Postecoglou had a difficult start in his next job with Yokohama F. Marinos before guiding the Japanese club to a cup final and 12th-place finish in the league, then claiming the club’s first J-League crown for 15 years the next season.

The Greek-born manager soon proved his credentials in Europe when reclaiming the league title for Celtic from arch-rivals Rangers while adding a Scottish Cup and a pair of League Cups.

Ange Postecoglou – the man, the myth, 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱.

From his early days as a Hellas junior, to a championship-winning captain and coach, Ange has gone on to become a serial winner wherever he’s been. His football journey is truly one of a kind.

Now, he stands as a… pic.twitter.com/cBDqAFff8z — South Melbourne FC (@smfc) May 21, 2025

Always wins things in his second season 🏆

Congrats, Ange 🧡 pic.twitter.com/qZEFhRfWBR — Brisbane Roar FC (@brisbaneroar) May 21, 2025

He won trophies with South Melbourne Hellas. He won trophies with Brisbane Roar. He made the Socceroos Asian champions. And now he’s a European champion winning coach with Tottenham Hotspur. 🏆

Congratulations to Ange Postecoglou for clinching the UEFA Europa League, continuing… pic.twitter.com/iSRPoA7SSP — Football Australia (@FootballAUS) May 21, 2025

A winner once again. Never in doubt. He never stops!

Congratulations Ange 🏆 @EuropaLeague | #CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/m6aAcUKmEv — Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) May 21, 2025

With the former Socceroos skipper Mile Jedinak and one-time Central Coast Mariners boss Nick Montgomery by his side as assistants, Postecoglou has topped all of those achievements with his greatest triumph in delivering on his bold promise with Spurs.

“All I’ve done in my career is win,” Postecoglou said after Spurs’ victory in Bilbao. “Even Daniel [Levy, Spurs’ chair] said: ‘We’ve gone for winners [in the past] and now we have Ange.’ Mate, I’m a winner.”

But whether Postecoglou will have an opportunity to add to Spurs’ trophy cabinet beyond his second season with the club remains to be seen.

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