Angry Ange Postecoglou fires back at reporter ahead of Europa League final

Ange Postecoglou has lashed out at a British sports journalist who dubbed him a “clown” in a tense exchange ahead of his bid to win the Europa League final. See the video

Ange Postecoglou has lashed out at a British sports journalist who dubbed him a “clown” in a tense exchange ahead of his bid to win the Europa League final.

The 59-year-old coach’s career is on the line when the Spurs face Manchester United in the final at Bilbao in Spain on Wednesday night at 8pm (Thursday 5am AEST).

During a testy press conference on Tuesday, Postecoglou became visibly annoyed with some of the questions asked of him however he also spoke of his love for Australia and said the attitude is to “take on anyone, doesn’t matter how big or small they are”.

Ange Postecoglou, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, gestures during a Tottenham Hotspur training session ahead of the UEFA Europa League Final 2025. Picture: Michael Steele/Getty Images

Postecoglou hit back at a British reporter who penned a column in the UK’s Evening Standard newspaper this week that said he was “teetering between hero and clown”.

“I’ll tell you one thing, irrespective of tomorrow, I’m not a clown,” the 59-year-old Australian coach.

“I never will be mate, and you’ve really disappointed me that you use such terminology about a person who for 26 years without any favours from anyone, who’s worked his way to be in a position where he’s leading a club in a European major competition.

“For you to suggest that somehow us not being successful means that I’m a clown, I’m not really sure how to answer that question”.

The scathing article in the British newspaper said he had a “wretched league season” and a “tetchy relationship with supporters”.

Tottenham is 17th on the Premier League ladder and has lost 21 games – a record amount in a Premier League season for the club.

If they beat United in the Europa League final they will qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League despite having a horror domestic season.

Postecoglou, who was born in Greece and moved with his family to Australia at age five, also spoke during the press conference about his love for Australia and determination to succeed in a sport that isn’t “prominent” down under.

“I was born in Greece, I’m a very proud Greek,” he said.

“My father made sure that I understood where our roots were and what it means to be Greek and I’ve carried that through my whole … life.

“I grew up in Australia … the other side of the world where football, unfortunately, wasn’t a prominent sport, but my father took his love for football from Greece to Australia.

“When you grow up in Australia you also have the attitude that when it comes to sport you’ll take on anyone it doesn’t matter how big or small they are”.

Postecoglou’s father Jim died in 2018.

Ange Postecoglou, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, is interviewed prior to a press conference ahead of the UEFA Europa League Final 2025. Picture: Carl Recine/Getty Images

Postecoglou, who lives in North London, was appointed Spurs coach in 2023 and said he will probably retire one day in Greece.

When asked by a reporter if his future will be decided by the hierarchy at Tottenham following the Europa League final result he snapped back.

“My future is assured mate, I wouldn’t be the first person who changes jobs mate, we all change jobs,” Postecoglou said.

“I’m sure you’ve had more than one job.

“My future is assured, I’ve got a beautiful family, I’ve got a great life.

“I’ll keep on winning trophies until I finish wherever that is, so don’t worry about my future mate.

“Don’t stress mate, sleep easy at night, I’ll be OK”.