Ange Postecoglou’s emotional speech after Tottenham beat Manchester United, video

Family has always been at the centre of what Ange Postecoglou does.

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It is why when he made history as the first Australian football manager to win a major European trophy, he took a moment to soak it all in with his wife and two children on the field, before then honouring his late father in his post-game press conference.

It is also why Postecoglou made family a focal point of Tottenham’s bid for Europa League glory, both before the game against Manchester United and after the team’s 17-year wait ended.

In the wake of Thursday’s win, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario revealed to PA Agency that Postecoglou had arranged for a surprise video with messages from family members to be played in a pre-match meeting in Bilbao.

Tom Allnutt of The Times reported that it “brought many in the room to tears”.

“The message was just to do our things, to play for us, for our fans and especially for our fans who were here to support us in the stands,” Vicario said.

“We had an emotional video from our families in the pre-match meeting. It was very emotional and I think in the back of our minds they played a big part of the game.

“My mum and my dad (spoke), they were here celebrating with me on the pitch. They said just to fight for this badge, to fight for Tottenham Hotspur and to make them happy.

“It was at the hotel. We had the preparation of the game as well as this brilliant video.”

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With that in mind, it was no surprise that family was a central theme to Postecoglou’s heartfelt speech during Tottenham’s party inside the Hotel Carlton in Bilbao.

While there was plenty of celebrating to do, there was also time for reflection and as captured, by The Spurs Web account on X, Postecoglou had an important message not only for his players but their families too.

“I’m used to people listening when I talk so....I just want to say that I made a big thing for us as a group about family this year and how important family is,” Postecoglou said.

“These boys, I am so proud of them and the staff. They have been the best family that I could ever be associated with but more importantly is everyone in this room and how you have helped these boys become champions.

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“They truly deserve it, they are outstanding people, not just outstanding players. I could not be prouder to be their manager, and I want everyone to enjoy tonight and what it means because every single one of you deserve it from the bottom of my heart.

“I have never been prouder to be a manager of a football club, than a manager of these players and the people with them. You, their families, trust me, I played a video before the game and it inspired them to win this game today. Every single one of them is a champion, well done and enjoy the night.”

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