Ange Postecoglou takes aim at Spurs critics after reaching Europa League final

Ange Postecoglou launched an impassioned rant against Tottenham’s critics after a 2-0 win over Bodo/Glimt sent them through to the Europa League final to keep the club on course to end their 17-year trophy drought.

Spurs have not celebrated winning silverware since their 2008 League Cup success but set up an all-English final with Manchester United in Bilbao on May 21 with second-half goals by Dominic Solanke and Pedro Porro in the Arctic Circle.

It earned Tottenham a 5-1 victory on aggregate and offers Postecoglou the chance to stay true to his autumn vow of always winning a trophy in his second season.

Speculation over Postecoglou’s future has intensified in recent months after a torrid Premier League campaign, with the club down in 16th position, but the Australian has guided Spurs to only their second European final in 40 years.

Manchester United stand between Tottenham and a much-craved trophy and while Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim claimed Europa League success will not save their season, his counterpart took umbrage at suggestions the Bilbao show piece was a get-out-of-jail card for both teams.

“It’s going to upset a lot of people isn’t it! The debate’s now raging. The latest one is that neither of us will be able to get a trophy if we win, they’re just going to take a team photo because we’re not worthy,” Postecoglou fumed.

“I mean, who cares if we’re struggling in the league? Why is that important? If it’s so easy to get to a final, then why doesn’t everyone who finishes in the top three do it? It’s a separate thing. It’s got nothing to do with league form.

“We understand our league form hasn’t been great. We understand the struggles we’ve had. A lot of them are because of the (injury) situation we’ve been in,