Ange Postecoglou states he remains just as resolute as before in achieving success Tottenham even though they assert there is an overall feeling that he will depart from the club once the season concludes, regardless of whether they secure victory in the Europa League.
Spurs Host Eintracht Frankfurt in their Europa League quarter-final first-leg match on Thursday. , as they aim to rescue their campaign and potentially save Postecoglou's position with the outcome of this match hanging in the balance.
Postecoglou's team has lost 16 out of their 31 league matches this season and currently sits at 14th position, yet they still have the chance to end the campaign with their first title since 2008 along with securing a spot in next year’s Champions League.
At the beginning of a tense pre-match press conference, Postecoglou criticized Tottenham's detractors for converting "gold into trash" when discussing Mathys Tel taking a stoppage-time penalty instead of Brennan Johnson , who was aiming for a hat-trick, during Sunday's 3-1 victory against Southampton.
Asked if he and his players were motivated in Europe by proving the doubters wrong, Postecoglou said: "I think that feeling [of motivation] exists, but not because of that.
"I don't think that's a healthy motivation to have because ultimately you can't win that contest.
"I just think we're in that position that the good stuff we may do is going to be turned into a glass half full rhetoric and from that perspective I don't think that can be a driver in what we want to do.
"The lads are really keen to bring success to the club, keep driving the principles of what we started this whole journey with, in terms of the football we want to play, really stick together as they have through the toughest of periods and hopefully we've worked our way into a position where we can make an impact on our season, a really disappointing season for us.
"I just think there's a real determination to take the opportunity that they've earned at this point.
"I don't think you're going to win that argument of convincing people.
"I think [journalist] wrote that even if we win it, I'm gone anyway ... if you're trying to use that as a motivation, you're not going to win that anyway
I believe John [Cross] mentioned that regardless of whether we succeed or not, I’m out either way. This isn’t meant as criticism towards you; it’s simply reflecting what most folks feel. Hence, if your intention is to use this for inspiration, it won’t make much difference.
We have to see greater benefits for ourselves, and as a collective, the crucial aspect is that despite going through extremely difficult times, we remain in a place where we can still create significant impacts. It’s rare when such chances come around.
We've reached the quarter-finals, and honestly, I'm not sure how often the club has made it this far in Europe. It’s crucial not to take this for granted or approach it with the wrong attitude. The players seem to be dealing with it effectively—they’re really getting excited about this challenge. Although they’ll be up against a strong opponent, they definitely have what it takes to come out victorious.
Postecoglou commented on an article from The Daily Mirror suggesting that claiming victory in the Europa League might turn out to be "too little too late" for him due to the team’s poor performance in the league.
"The only reason I mention John’s article is because I think that is the general sentiment," Postecoglou added. "I have said before, that is not what drives me. I came to this club with a clear purpose and vision of what the club needed and what I could offer.
"That is to change the way the team plays, to obviously rejuvenate the squad because it was a squad that was coming towards the end of a cycle and to bring success.
"As long as I’m in this position, that’s always my focus irrespective of whatever noise there is or what there may or not been in the future. I don’t see that, that should diminish my burning ambition, my desire and my determination to make that happen.
"Anything you achieve in life usually comes with a struggle. Certainly everything I have achieved in my life has come with a struggle from a professional perspective.
This is merely an additional challenge, yet throughout this ordeal, my determination to stand up for what I believe is right has not wavered, and I shall keep doing so.
Sign up today for one of The Standard’s newsletters. Choose from a daily news summary, Homes & Property updates, as well as content covering lifestyle, events, special deals, and much more. To get the top tales delivered directly to your mailbox, go ahead and register. here .