Furious Ange Postecoglou backed over 'clown' rant before Europa League final

Daily Mirror

21-05-2025

Ally McCoist feels Ange Postecoglou was well within his rights to bite back at a reporter over the use of the term 'clown' ahead of Tottenham's meeting with Manchester United in the Europa League final
Ally McCoist has backed Ange Postecoglou after the under-fire Tottenham boss took aim at a reporter during a press conference ahead of Wednesday night's Europa League final against Manchester United in Bilbao.
Postecoglou, 59, has endured a torrid second season at the helm with Spurs currently 17th in the Premier League after losing a staggering 21 games, albeit the Londoners have enjoyed success in Europe. Victory over United would land them a trophy and an unlikely ticket to the Champions League next season, though Postecoglou's own position is unclear given their domestic struggles.
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One report ahead of Wednesday's big match highlighted the scenario, with the headline claiming that Postecoglou was 'teetering between hero and clown' ahead of Tottenham's season-defining showdown with the Red Devils.
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That did not go down well with the Spurs chief, who hit back at the reporter in question and admitted he was "really disappointed" to see that sort of terminology used.
Postecoglou's reaction has become a big talking point online in the aftermath of the incident but McCoist, speaking on talkSPORT, says the former Celtic chief was well within his rights to give some back after copping a load of criticism in recent months.
"He's quite right. It's a ridiculous question," McCoist said when the question relating to Postecoglou's legacy was discussed. He continued: "I think he's well within his rights. I think it's a ridiculous question. I think it's a stupid question.
"To label him a clown, it's just wrong on so many counts. So I think he's well entitled to fight his corner. I think it's a stupid question."
McCoist's co-host, Alan Brazil, pointed out that Postecoglou brought up the term 'clown' in the press conference. But McCoist was having none of it and insisted it was right for Postecoglou to call out the article in question.
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The Scot said the clown reference 'crossed the mark', though, adding: "That's personal. That's got nothing to do with his ability to coach, manage or pick a team or get results, that's way above that. That's not the game for me. I'm in Big Ange's corner all day with that one."
Postecoglou has refused to be drawn on speculation over his own future. Several reports have outlined that Tottenham will likely make a change if they lose Wednesday night's final with some even claiming Postecoglou could leave even if Spurs win in Bilbao.
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He scotched suggestions he could choose to walk away, though, when the question was put to him, saying: "No, because I don't think my job is done here. I really feel like we are building something and what a trophy does is hopefully accelerate that.
"So, I still think there is work to be done. It is quite obvious with the challenges we've had this year, which I think are well chronicled but there is some reasoning in the context of that, but also there has been some growth and I would like to see through.
"Whether that happens or not is not that important right now, but I don't think, far from it, this job is finished. I certainly feel there is some growth there that we can take this club to where it needs to be."