An emotional Ange Postecoglou vehemently rejected the notion that he is a “clown” during a tense news conference before Tottenham’s Europa League final against Manchester United. Responding to a report labeling him as “teetering between hero and clown,” he defended his managerial achievements despite Tottenham’s disappointing domestic season. The final could either end a 17-year trophy drought or leave the team empty-handed again. Postecoglou expressed his frustration at the derogatory term, emphasizing his hard work over 26 years and insisting that his worth isn’t defined by this season’s outcome.
An emotional Ange Postecoglou defiantly rejected the claim that he is a “clown” during a tense news conference ahead of Tottenham’s Europa League final against Manchester United.
Citing a report from the Standard, external suggesting he was “on the edge between hero and clown” depending on the outcome in Bilbao, Spurs manager Postecoglou stood firm in defending his record despite a challenging domestic season.
In Wednesday’s final, Tottenham faces the prospect of either ending a 17-year trophy drought or concluding the season without silverware, marking their toughest season since returning to the top flight in 1978.
At San Mames Stadium, Postecoglou’s demeanor shifted from simmering frustration to emotional resonance as he shared his personal and familial journey.
He returned to the article when the journalist who wrote it noted that this season could become one of the club’s “modern history” highlights or lowlights, suggesting he was straddling a precarious line “between two very different forms of notoriety.”
“Regardless of the outcome tomorrow, I am not a clown and will never be,” asserted Postecoglou.
“It truly disappoints me that you used such language to describe someone who has spent 26 years, without any help from anyone, rising to lead a club in a European final.
“To imply that a lack of success makes me a clown is something I’m not sure how to respond to.”