logo
Postecoglou 'Very Hungry' After Europa Win

Postecoglou 'Very Hungry' After Europa Win

The Sun22-05-2025

TOTTENHAM manager Ange Postecoglou said he was 'very' hungry to build on his success after winning the Europa League on Wednesday, with speculation still swirling around his future.
The Australian's job is still on the line with the club 17th in the Premier League after a dismal domestic campaign and he said the decision is not up to him.
Spurs ended a 17-year trophy drought by beating Manchester United 1-0 in Bilbao to win their first European trophy since 1984.
'Very (hungry to build on it), we've got a really young group of players and you can talk to them about success and what it means but until they feel it, it doesn't become real,' Postecoglou told reporters.
'I still feel there's a lot of work to be done and I think that's quite obvious -- but not as much work as people may think.
'People can bang on about our 20 league defeats and where we are but they're missing the point of what we're trying to build here or what I'm trying to do anyway and I really feel that tonight can be a great platform for us to keep on.'
The coach said he was not sweating on his future, which he accepts is under heavy scrutiny, but would prefer to stay if he can.
'Relaxed is not the word (for how I feel), because I'd be disappointed if we couldn't continue on this path,' he continued.
'I understand why it would be difficult for a club like this to buy into one person's vision...
'I'm a winner, I've been a serial winner my whole career... people dismiss my achievements because they didn't happen on this side of the world but for me they're all hard-earned and all I've done my whole career is win things.'
Postecoglou, who won trophies with Celtic, Australian side Brisbane Roar and Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos, said he thinks Tottenham can progress to further success in the near future.
'We're in the Champions League (next season), my thought process of what I've been doing this year is trying to build a team that can be successful for four, five, six years,' he told TNT Sports.
'But I'm the manager of the football club. That decision is not in my hands.'
Postecoglou had stated that he always wins a trophy in the second season at the helm of his clubs and his words came true at San Mames.
'It was me just making a declaration, and I believed it -- at the time I said it, I was still looking out for our club,' said the 59-year-old.
'I know our league form has been terrible, but us finishing third wasn't going to change this football club.
'The only thing that was going to change this football club was us winning something. And when I said that, that was my intent.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

South Korea to ease Son's load in 2026 qualifiers
South Korea to ease Son's load in 2026 qualifiers

The Sun

time11 minutes ago

  • The Sun

South Korea to ease Son's load in 2026 qualifiers

SOUTH Korea captain Son Heung-min will be used sparingly in their World Cup qualifiers against Iraq and Kuwait as he builds up his match fitness following his return from a foot injury, coach Hong Myung-bo said on Monday. South Korea, who lead Group B by three points, face Iraq in Basra on June 5 before returning home for their final qualifier of the third round against Kuwait five days later. The Koreans will qualify for their 11th successive World Cup if they avoid defeat by Iraq, who last month appointed former Australia boss Graham Arnold as their head coach. Son has been dealing with the injury for the past two months and was restricted to a substitute's appearance in Tottenham Hotspur's 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Europa League final. 'He and I have not yet discussed exactly how much he will play. But my staff and I already know all about his drive and his desire to play,' Hong told reporters. 'Since we have two matches coming up (to try to qualify for the World Cup), I will not push him too hard. Once we get to Iraq, we will decide which of the two matches we will focus on.' The 56-year-old said Son's experience would be invaluable in Iraq even if he does not play. 'We will probably play in a hostile environment in front of partisan fans,' he added. 'We have some players who have had experience playing in these situations. It's something we should keep in mind going into the stadium for this match.'

Australia's Glenn ‘Big Show' Maxwell calls time on ODIs
Australia's Glenn ‘Big Show' Maxwell calls time on ODIs

The Sun

time11 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Australia's Glenn ‘Big Show' Maxwell calls time on ODIs

EXPLOSIVE Australian batsman Glenn Maxwell called time on his one-day international career Monday, but will continue in Twenty20 cricket with his eye on next year's World Cup. The 36-year-old, who played 149 ODIs, blasting 3,990 runs, said he was starting to feel the physical toll of the 50-over game. 'I felt like I was letting the team down a little bit with how my body was reacting to the conditions,' said Maxwell, who was nicknamed 'Big Show' for his all-action entertaining style of play. 'I had a good chat with (chair of selectors) George Bailey and I asked him what his thoughts were going forward. 'We talked about the 2027 (50-over) World Cup and I said to him: 'I don't think I am going to make that, it's time to start planning for people in my position to have a crack at it and make the position their own'. 'I didn't want to just hold on for a couple of series and almost play for selfish reasons.' His last game was Australia's Champions Trophy semi-final defeat to India in early March, after which fellow veteran Steve Smith also quit the 50-over format. The mercurial Maxwell's strike rate of 126.70 is the second highest in ODI cricket where he has crunched four hundreds and 23 half-centuries. His rate of scoring is second only to West Indian heavy hitter Andre Russell, and Maxwell has also taken 77 wickets with his off-spin. Perhaps his most memorable innings was at the 2023 World Cup against Afghanistan in Mumbai, when he was batting with Australia reeling at 91-7, chasing 293 to win. In a high-pressure situation and battling severe cramp in searing heat, Maxwell took control, slamming 201 from just 128 balls to take his team to victory. He scored 179 of those runs in an unbroken 202 partnership with Pat Cummins, who contributed just 12 after coming at number nine. Australia went on to win the tournament, beating favourites India in the final at Ahmedabad. Maxwell was also part of the Australia team that lifted the 2015 ODI World Cup. 'Glenn will be known as one of the one-day game's most dynamic players, who had key roles in two ODI World Cup victories,' said Bailey. 'His level of natural talent and skill is remarkable. His energy in the field, under-rated ability with the ball and longevity has been superb. 'What else stands out is his passion for and commitment to playing for Australia. 'Fortunately, he still has much to offer Australia in the T20 format. All things going well, he will be pivotal in the next 12 months as we build toward the World Cup early next year.'

South Korea coach says Son won't be pushed too hard in 2026 qualifiers
South Korea coach says Son won't be pushed too hard in 2026 qualifiers

The Sun

time15 minutes ago

  • The Sun

South Korea coach says Son won't be pushed too hard in 2026 qualifiers

SOUTH Korea captain Son Heung-min will be used sparingly in their World Cup qualifiers against Iraq and Kuwait as he builds up his match fitness following his return from a foot injury, coach Hong Myung-bo said on Monday. South Korea, who lead Group B by three points, face Iraq in Basra on June 5 before returning home for their final qualifier of the third round against Kuwait five days later. The Koreans will qualify for their 11th successive World Cup if they avoid defeat by Iraq, who last month appointed former Australia boss Graham Arnold as their head coach. Son has been dealing with the injury for the past two months and was restricted to a substitute's appearance in Tottenham Hotspur's 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Europa League final. 'He and I have not yet discussed exactly how much he will play. But my staff and I already know all about his drive and his desire to play,' Hong told reporters. 'Since we have two matches coming up (to try to qualify for the World Cup), I will not push him too hard. Once we get to Iraq, we will decide which of the two matches we will focus on.' The 56-year-old said Son's experience would be invaluable in Iraq even if he does not play. 'We will probably play in a hostile environment in front of partisan fans,' he added. 'We have some players who have had experience playing in these situations. It's something we should keep in mind going into the stadium for this match.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store