Gareth Bale has called on the Tottenham board to make a decision over Ange Postecoglou’s future quickly after he led the club to its first major trophy in 17 years. Spurs also confirmed qualification for next season’s Champions League with victory in Bilbao on Wednesday.
Brennan Johnson scored an aptly scruffy goal at the end of the first half to give Tottenham the lead and it was enough to see them over the line after a determined defensive display against Manchester United. Postecoglou once more opted for physicality across his starting XI and it paid off.
However, after a Premier League campaign to forget, Postecoglou’s position in charge is far from clear. It has been reported earlier this season that he could be replaced even if it came with European glory.
Speaking on TNT Sports after the match, Tottenham legend Bale offered his views on Postecoglou and the win. “[It’s] amazing for the club,” he said. “It’s been a long time coming and I’m absolutely delighted for the club. All the fans. The amount of years they’ve waited and I think they’ll celebrate this one with a lot of alcohol.”
When pressed on the achievement, Bale continued to say that the domestic season will be forgotten. “Exactly and now Ange goes down as a legendary manager to win the European Cup, so I think you’ll look back at this, like I said at the start of the programme, and see Tottenham winning the Europa League,” he explained. “You won’t see anything else in terms of league position.”
Should winning the knockout tournament be enough to see Postecoglou stay in north London? “I think only the chairman can decide that to be honest,” Bale answered. “There’s been so much talk, whether he goes or whether he doesn’t.
“I guess it will be interesting to see now because he’s won a trophy and he’s the first Tottenham manager to do that in a long time. I guess the board have some decisions to make. They either back him or they don’t and they’ve got to do it soon.”
Bale himself was coy on whether he would support Postecoglou as well. “I like the football that he plays,” said the former winger when pushed on if he would prefer for Postecoglou to stay.
“Obviously he lacks a bit of a plan B but tonight shows there is a plan B. He showed a different side to how he’s played so I guess as a manager, if he matures as a manager and brings that kind of defensive side to his teams. yes of course, he can bring success.”
Postecoglou was also quizzed on what is next after suggestions that he could walk away following the success. “That decision is not in my hands,” he said. “It doesn’t affect me. If it was going to affect me then you would have seen it in the buildup to here. All that I cared about was this thing [the medal]. You know, having this thing around my neck means this football club has won a trophy.”
He finished:” I’ve said that and I don’t feel like I’ve completed the job yet. We’re still building. The moment I accepted the role I had one thing in my head and that is to win something. More than anything else. We’ve done that now and I want to build on it.”
Daniel Levy, who has been under pressure from supporters this season as well, was there to watch the final. He was sat two seats away from United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
