Ange Postecoglou recognizes the feeling of ‘imposter syndrome’ but intends to challenge the prevailing ‘narrative’ surrounding Tottenham Hotspur by achieving success in the UEFA Europa League.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has stated that a victory over Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League final would “probably destroy 50% of the narrative” surrounding the club.

Spurs have been enduring a well-documented trophy drought that dates back to their triumph in the 2008 League Cup final, where they narrowly defeated Chelsea at Wembley after extra time. Since then, opportunities to secure silverware have slipped through their fingers, most notably in 2019 when they lost 2-0 to Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League final. However, the chance to end over 17 years of disappointment looms large as they prepare to face their Premier League rivals in Bilbao on May 21, a match that will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

When asked if winning the final would alter the perception of Tottenham, Postecoglou responded: “It’s a great opportunity, I think, because it probably destroys 50% of the narrative that exists around the club in terms of its stature at the moment. It’s this constant question, well, until you actually win something everything else is irrelevant.”

He added, “It doesn’t matter how nice your stadium is, the supporters, your training facilities, it doesn’t matter if you have been runners-up in the league until you win something. So, once you do win, and this is a significant trophy, that’s out of the equation. Then different questions come, and you have to kind of repeat that, but that’s a different course you navigate. But all that stuff around, you know, that you haven’t won anything, I think, disappears in one fell swoop.”

For Postecoglou, who grew up watching major finals with his father, the prospect of leading one of England’s biggest clubs on such a grand stage is deeply emotional. “I would really love to take a couple of weeks to mull it over because it becomes very emotional for me,” the 59-year-old reflected. “That was me and my dad watching European Cup finals or UEFA Cup finals or Cup Winners’ Cup finals. To think that’s going to be replicated now and especially the people I know and the people who have been in my life, they’re going to see me out there, it’s surreal for sure.”

He acknowledged a sense of “impostor syndrome,” admitting, “There’s a bit of impostor syndrome there, where it’s just not right, but at the same time, I’ve worked hard for it. A lot of people in my inner circle have made a lot of sacrifices for me to be in this position, so I appreciate it.”

Spurs’ journey to the Europa League final starkly contrasts their domestic form this season, as they currently sit 17th in the Premier League table with just 38 points and a club-record 20 losses from 36 matches. This dismal performance has led to significant criticism, which Postecoglou concedes is understandable. However, he believes some of the scrutiny stems from his unconventional rise through the managerial ranks, having spent the majority of his career in Australia before a successful stint with Celtic in Scotland.

“Sometimes it gets annoying, but I also understand it because I think I’m a bit of an outlier,” he said. “And I think when you are an outlier – this is not a common thing to see somebody like me in this position – it’s only natural people will question things. I think I’ve earned the right to be here, I think all the success I’ve had is valid success, but because it hasn’t come in conventional quarters here in Europe where people have very easy reference points, invariably you get questioned.”

Postecoglou continued, “I don’t think there’d be another manager who gets to a European final that’s had their ability to manage questioned as much as I have. So I understand some of it and it’s logical, but there is some of it that does get annoying after a while because if you’re so dismissive of everything I’ve done, and I am here, then it doesn’t say much for the competition I’m in.”

Despite their struggles, Spurs have managed to secure three victories over Manchester United this season, winning both league encounters and a Carabao Cup match. However, Postecoglou is cautious about reading too much into past results or current form.

“I just think finals are just unique beasts,” he remarked. “Form going into it, head-to-head going into it means absolutely nothing. That’s my experience, that’s why you’ve seen so many finals… you can have your favourites, you can have your underdogs, it’s all meaningless. Previous form is meaningless, even form leading into it is meaningless because it’s about the day.”

He concluded, “So, what you do is you prepare that they’re gonna be at their best and we’ve got to prepare for us to be at our best and then we’ll see who comes out on top.”