Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou angrily hit back against claims he is teetering between being either a hero or a clown for the club in their season-defining Europa League final on Wednesday.
Spurs have endured a nightmare domestic campaign, one which has seen them suffer 21 defeats in the Premier League, in which they can finish no higher than 14th.
But Tottenham will qualify for the Champions League if they beat Manchester United in the Europa League final in Bilbao.
It is unclear whether Postecoglou remain at the club beyond this season, but his legacy will likely be determined by events at the San Mames.
But asked about the fine line he is seen to be treading in the game against United, Postecoglou was emphatic in his response.
Replying to a journalist for the Evening Standard who used the phrasing ‘hero or a clown’ in a piece ahead of the final, Postecoglou said: “That depends on your outlook but I’ll tell you one thing, irrespective of tomorrow, I’m not a clown and never will be.
“You really disappointed me that you used such terminology to describe a person that for 26 years, without any favours from anyone, has worked his way to a position where he is leading out a club in a European final.
“For you to suggest that somehow us not being successful means that I’m a clown, I’m not sure how to answer that question.”
Postecoglou has often received criticism that his playing style has left Tottenham open at the back as they have continued to play a high line, while injuries to key players have had a clear impact on Spurs’ fortunes in his second season at the helm.
“It’s hard to contextualise the challenges of the last couple of years,” said Postecoglou. “From my perspective, I came into the club with some pretty clear objectives.
“I’ve tried as hard as I can to stick to that process in getting the club to a position where they can challenge for trophies and at the same time, rejuvenate the squad and change the playing style. It has been a fair assignment with plenty of challenges along the way.”
“With such a big game tomorrow, there is an opportunity to fulfil at least the main task I was given which was to bring trophies to the club.”
Spurs have beaten United three times this season across the league and EFL Cup, but Postecoglou does not believe those encounters will have any bearing on this most important game of the season between the sides.
“It’s a final and those kind of things aren’t important,” Postecoglou explained.
“What I do know is, even your form going into it, even if you’re in terrible form – it doesn’t matter. What matters is how the players cope with the occasion, how they cope with understanding the importance of the game – from both clubs. You just don’t know how players will react to such a big occasion.
“My role in that is to try and prepare the players in the best possible way and to also prepare the players for Manchester United to be at their best. If you prepare that way and go out there and play to the potential you can then you give yourself an opportunity.
“I don’t think it really matters what you’ve done before against any opposition when it comes to big games. Maybe in the league its a bit different but in a big important final – everything gets decided on the day.”
