Vicario says Ange Postecoglou was ‘first to believe’ in potential Europa League success | OneFootball

Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario praised head coach Ange Postecoglou for believing the club could win the Europa League.

Brennan Johnson’s 42nd minute goal was enough for Postecoglou’s side to beat fellow Premier League side Manchester United and win the Europa League, ending Spurs’ 17-year wait for silverware.

Victory also confirms the north Londoners place in next season’s Champions League as one of the Premier League’s six entries.

Vicario admitted Postecoglou always had faith in his side’s chances of European glory, and praised the Australian for his constant support through the difficult times this campaign.

“He was first to believe in this Europa League campaign,” Vicario said. “He said to us on day one, ‘we need to win this competition.’ But one thing is to say, the other is to do it, and we did it altogether.

“His message has stayed at the back of our minds since the campaign started and tonight we get the spotlight because Tottenham are champions.

“We’ve won the Europa League but we’ve ben through some tough moments and the gaffer has always stayed with us and always believed in us in what we could deliver and we did it.”

The 27-year-old also put the bed to the ‘Spursy’ tag, which has lingered with the club as a ever-present reminder of their lack of recent trophy success.

Now the elusive trophy drought has come to an end, the Italian has called for his side to be recognised as the winners in which they are.

“When you win something and you are recognised as the champion of something, all the jokes and things about being ‘Spursy’, maybe we stop that.

“We are very happy for ourselves for what we’ve been through this season. Now we’re looking forward, playing in the Champions League is a massive achievement. It’s where this club has to stay, so we’re going to enjoy it.”