Aussies lose it as Ange Postecoglou’s PM quote goes viral
Ange Postecoglou is already on top of the world, but his use of a classic Aussie quote has taken the Spurs boss to an even higher level.
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Ange Postecoglou, already the toast of the football world, managed to elevate his pedestal just a little higher after his post-match press conference on Thursday.
The Tottenham manager, who has been under a mountain of pressure throughout the 2024/25 Premier League season, had the perfect response when his Spurs side beat Manchester United 1-0 to claim the Europa League title.
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It’s the long-suffering club’s first trophy since the 2008 League Cup and first European honour since claiming the previous version of the Europa League, the UEFA Cup, way back in 1984.
Across a disastrous league campaign, with Tottenham currently 17th and above only the three already relegated teams, Postecoglou steadfastly maintained his mantra that he always wins a trophy in his second season.
The 59-year-old famously declared on the eve of this season: “Usually in my second season I win things.
“I’ll correct myself. I don’t usually win things – I always win things in my second year.
“Nothing’s changed. I’ve said it now. I don’t say things unless I believe them.”
While even the most committed Spurs fan must have doubted that declaration at times, Postecoglou came through with the goods to claim a title that some believe makes him among the best Australian coaches in any sport.
After celebrating on the pitch with his players, with some even carrying a banner of Postecoglou and that famous quote, the Greek-born Aussie then produced an even more famous line in his post-match press conference.
“To quote my favourite Australian prime minister, Paul Keating, he said after an unlikely victory, ‘this is one for the true believers’,” Postecoglou said, unable to hide the grin on his face.
“And this is certainly one for the true believers.”
Postecoglou was referencing the 1993 Australian federal election, when Paul Keating was battling to retain his prime ministership against the heavy favourite, Liberal leader John Hewson.
It was dubbed the “unlosable election” for Hewson, but Keating defied all the predictions and opinion polls to secure a record fifth consecutive election win for the Labour Party.
In an iconic victory speech, Keating opened by telling the packed crowd “this is the sweetest victory of all”.
He then added: “This is a victory for the true believers. The people who, in difficult times, have kept the faith.”
Australians were having an absolute field day on social media after Postecoglou uttered the famous line, following a victory that some believe gives him a slim chance of retaining his job beyond this season.
“I love this man even more now!” was a common comment on X.
“Ange has just gone up further in my estimation. What a great Australian!” stated another.
“Give this man a statue ASAP!!” offered a third.
“My two favourite Aussie blokes I reckon,” declared a fourth.
Labor’s Jerome Laxale, the Federal Member for Bennelong, also tweeted a video of the two famous comments with the caption: “Sure Ange winning was good. But did you see him reference Paul Keating?!? It’s all too much.”
Football content producer Eli Mengem tweeted: “Paul Keating being quoted in a Europa League final press conference, what a world.”
A fan page called Australian Spurs wrote: “Was this also the sweetest victory of all?”
Ivo De Jesus referenced another famous Keating quote when he quipped: “This is the recession Man United had to have!”
On the pitch, neither Spurs nor United were particularly inspiring, but a goal in the 42nd minute to Brennan Johnson ultimately proved the difference.
Johnson just managed to poke the ball over the line when United couldn’t clear a cross into their box.
There were some nervy moments for Spurs in the second half, including when Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven produced a goal-line clearance to prevent United from scoring in a stunning acrobatic effort.
But Tottenham held on, pulling off the victory despite missing its first-choice midfield — James Maddison missed both the semi-final and final and Dejan Kulusevski was ruled out of the decider with injury.
Talismanic Spurs striker Hon Seung-Min only just returned from injury and played half an hour in the second half.
But Postecoglou told us he has a habit of winning trophies and he was right.
He becomes the first Australian manager to win a major European football title and will be desperate to stay in his post as the victory also secures Tottenham a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Postecoglou has now won trophies with Tottenham, the Brisbane Roar, the Asian Cup with the Socceroos and league titles with Yokahoma FC in Japan and Celtic in Scotland.
Originally published as Aussies lose it as Ange Postecoglou’s PM quote goes viral
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