What’s next for Ange Postecoglou: After Europa League triumph, will the Australian stay at Tottenham?

After delivering a drought-breaking trophy, does Ange Postecoglou still have a future at Spurs? The ball is firmly in Tottenham’s court after the Australian flipped the script on his bosses.

Ange Postecoglou’s emphatic Europa League win has thrown everything up in the air at Tottenham Hotspur.

The status quo is eerily similar to his first post-Socceroos overseas job, in Japan, when Postecoglou narrowly avoided relegation in season one.

Yokohama F. Marinos had every right to sack Postecoglou – they instead adopted the patient approach of owners, City Football Group (Manchester City’s owners), and backed him.

The next season they won the J1 League title in a canter, producing a trailblazing brand that still influences Japanese football.

Ange Postecoglou and Yokohama F.Marinos celebrate their J.League J1 title in 2019. Picture: Etsuo Hara/Getty Images

Fast forward six years. Picture: AP Photo/Manu Fernandez

Spurs are 17th for a reason, with Postecoglou unsurprisingly revealing how he’d prioritised the Europa League over the domestic season.

It was a high stakes gamble that could’ve sensationally backfired. It paid off in spades, comfortably outfoxing Manchester United counterpart Ruben Amorim.

Postecoglou claimed the coveted trophy and Champions League spot – including a $208.5m UEFA injection – rendering the Premier League ladder position irrelevant.

He navigated an outrageous injury crisis, a young, thin squad. A pragmatic tweak and European prioritisation demonstrated a flexibility, and confirmation that he’s capable of leading this club to realise its full potential.

Bale has already called for a long-term deal after Tottenham’s win. Picture: Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images

Now, the ball is in Tottenham’s court.

“Mate, I’m a winner. I’ve been a serial-winner my whole career. When I signed, (chairman) Daniel (Levy) said, ‘we went after winners, it didn’t work, now we’ve got Ange’,” Postecoglou said.

“No one has spoken to me. No planned meetings. Maybe they were waiting for this game.

“But I understand, the way things have gone in the league people are rightly concerned. It’s a true reflection of where we’re at.

“My own belief in what I do doesn’t waver and I’ll continue to do what I do.”

Postecoglou embraces Pedro Porro after the miracle win. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

It’s understood that Spurs considered firing Postecoglou, who signed a five-year deal, during this season.

The traditionally trigger-happy Spurs got a potential glimpse into the future with the European triumph.

In one fell swoop, Postecoglou has flipped the narrative and ensured Monday morning’s final match of the season (home to Brighton), will be a party.

The tone could dictate the Spurs board’s decision on Postecoglou, who declared he wants to remain.

Postecoglou was already in demand regardless of the Bilbao result, but the 1-0 win will ensure he courts interest from English and European clubs.

“Everything I’ve done, from training to decisions, was (prioritising) Europe. That’s come at a cost. I just felt the end game was more important,” he said.

“(I’ll) get ready for a massive parade on Friday, play Brighton on Sunday – really important our last home game. We want to finish strong – and then Monday I’ll go on holiday with my beautiful family because I deserve it. And que serums

While Postecoglou’s Tottenham tenure was headed for an inevitable end if Spurs lost, the drought-breaking win leaves all parties in a fascinating predicament.

Originally published as What’s next for Ange Postecoglou: After Europa League triumph, will the Australian stay at Tottenham?