Ange Postecoglou: To be honest, it's weird my Tottenham future is even in doubt | OneFootball

The manager remains under threat of the sack despite winning the Europa League

Winner: Ange Postecoglou

AFP via Getty Images

Postecoglou led Spurs to a first European trophy in 41 years with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final in Bilbao on Wednesday, but Sunday's 4-1 home defeat to Brighton on the final day condemned them to 17th place in the top flight, their lowest finish since 1977.

"I have had to answer the questions because no one else at the club is in the position to do so, I guess.

Part of me is thinking, ‘why am I even being asked that question?’

Ange Postecoglou on questions over his future

"But I can’t answer that question about me and my future. Like I said, part of me is thinking, ‘why am I even being asked that question?’ But it is what it is.

"I have got no doubt, though, that this could be a real defining moment for this club because wherever I have been I have made an impact where I have brought success to a club that hasn’t had it for a while.

"You just have to look at those clubs' trajectory even after I left, they are still competing for things.

"I really think this is a moment in time where this club could push on and be a real contender for honours on a yearly basis."

Asked for his gut feeling, Postecoglou replied: “You know my gut feeling? My gut feeling is I feel right now that I’ve done something that no one believed I could. And I shouldn’t be sitting here talking about it [my future]. That’s my feeling, but it is what it is.

Ange Postecoglou ended Tottenham’s trophy drought

Action Images via Reuters

"Seeing those scenes Friday [at the club's trophy parade] and people have reached out and talked to me about how it has affected them, what has happened over the last couple of days. It’s a beautiful thing and I just want to enjoy that.

"To be honest, the rest of it? You know I don’t even want to be talking about it. I just think it is unnecessary. You’re right to ask the question but you’re asking the person who can’t give you that answer. And I guess, even for you guys [the media], you wouldn’t be asking it if there wasn’t a doubt, right? But I can’t answer it.

"There is nothing I can say that will answer that question. Other people can, so from my perspective, it doesn’t diminish the achievement."

Levy, who remains a divisive figure among fans, must now weigh up Postecoglou's popularity with most of the fanbase and his historic achievement in Europe against a dreadful league campaign, in which Spurs lost 22 of their 38 games.

I have got no doubt next year we will be in a much stronger position, challenging for the top places

Ange Postecolgou

Postecoglou, though, is confident the team will compete at the top end of the table next term if he stays on, provided they bring in "some experience" over the summer, keep vice-captain Cristian Romero and build on their first trophy since 2008.

"I am so confident about what we can build at this football club and I want to push on and take it to the next level. We’ll see whether that happens," he said.

"I have got no doubt next year we will be in a much stronger position, challenging for the top places. I have got no doubt we will tackle the Champions League with the same determination that we tackled the Europa League.

"I have no doubts about that. If people are seeking any more evidence about me, then there is nothing I’m going to say that’s going to convince them if they haven’t seen it in the last two years."