Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has asserted that achieving Europa League glory with Spurs would be an accomplishment `on another planet` when compared to Erik ten Hag`s FA Cup success with Manchester United.
The Australian boss, currently under scrutiny, sees lifting the trophy in the Basque Country as a potential way to salvage Tottenham`s season.
However, Postecoglou strongly rejected comparisons to Ten Hag`s situation at Manchester United, where the Dutchman kept his job after winning the 2024 FA Cup.
Postecoglou argued that such comparisons `diminish` the true scale of winning the Europa League, a competition that offers coveted Champions League qualification, unlike the FA Cup.
Media figures, including SunSport columnist Troy Deeney and Sky Sports` Jamie Carragher, have controversially suggested Spurs should consider sacking Postecoglou *even if* his team goes on to win the final in Bilbao.
They referenced Manchester United`s handling of Ten Hag, who was retained after last May`s Cup win only to be dismissed five months later.
Speaking ahead of Thursday`s Europa League semi-final first leg against Bodo/Glimt, Postecoglou commented, “I’ve sensed this is the way this club is perceived — people are always trying to diminish it.”
He added, “I’ve heard people say, ‘Well, it’s the equivalent of United winning the FA Cup.’ No, it ain’t. Not on any planet is it the equivalent.”
Tottenham, aiming for their first silverware since the 2008 League Cup, currently sit 16th in the Premier League after suffering 19 league defeats this season.
Postecoglou continued, stating, “Others are suggesting that maybe we’re not worthy of the Champions League.”
He characterized such comments as “things that are designed to diminish what’s ahead of us, which is an unbelievable chance.”
He concluded, “Irrespective of how this season’s gone, we have generations of fans who want this more than anything else.”
Notably, Bodo/Glimt previously defeated Postecoglou’s Celtic side twice in the 2022 Conference League.
The Australian manager, whose team is without injured captain Son Heung-min, added, “Bodo are there on merit. The away game is tricky — you’re playing on an artificial surface in difficult conditions.”
