Tottenham into Europa League semis, Postecoglou shushes critics - ESPN

Ange Postecoglou told his critics they will «have to put up with me for just a little bit longer» after Tottenham Hotspur sealed a Europa League semifinal spot with a 1-0 win against Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany.

Dominic Solanke's 43rd minute penalty, after James Maddison had been floored by Eintracht goalkeeper Kauã Santos, secured Tottenham's win that completed a 2-1 quarterfinal aggregate victory against the Bundesliga side.

Spurs will face Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt in the semifinals in May.

With Spurs having lost seven of their last 12 games ahead of the Frankfurt clash, Postecoglou's position as coach had become increasingly tenuous, with some reports suggesting he could lose his job if the team were eliminated by Eintracht.

But the former Australia coach issued a defiant riposte after taking Spurs closer to the first trophy since 2008.

«Unfortunately, you guys are going to have to put up with me for just a little bit longer,» Postecoglou said in his post-match press conference. «I'm delighted with many things. I'm super proud of the lads — away from home in a quarterfinal against a very good side. We needed to score tonight and show the quality we have and to a man, they were outstanding in such a big game. We've earned the right to be in the semi.

»I'm the same manager today that I was yesterday, so if anyone thinks I'm a better coach, I don't care. It doesn't affect what I do. Do the players believe in me and do the staff believe in me, that's all that matters.

«The players and staff have just been outstanding. I'm the frontman, but they take responsibility through my decisions and I've never felt they have ever doubted what we've been doing.

»After a season like ours, it would be very easy for the players