ANGE POSTECOGLOU revealed how his love for his late dad helped spur him on to the biggest win of his career.
Postecoglou ditched “Ange ball” to grind out a 1-0 win over a hopeless Manchester United in the Europa League final on Wednesday.
Postecoglou opened up about how his late father Jim (pictured together) has been with him every step of the way through his career
Postecoglou scored the biggest win of his life when he took Tottenham to Europa League glory with a 1-0 win over Man Utd
Postecoglou, whose job could still be under threat, ended Spurs’ 17-year trophy drought in a magical night in Bilbao.
And he immediately paid tribute to his dad Jim, who died in 2018 when the Aussie was coaching at Japanese side Yokohama F. Marinos.
Postecoglou made true on his promise of winning silverware in his second season and believed his dad was with him in spirit in Spain.
The 59-year-old said: “Finally, to my beautiful wife, my boys, my family my friends… you know, they’re all my inspiration.
Asked about his father, he replied: “He’s still with me, mate. His voice is in my head all the time.
“As I get older I look in the mirror and see his face sometimes, which is frightening. He’s with me all the time.
“My dear mum is in Greece with my sister and my nephews, I’m sure they’re over the moon. It’s massive in Australia and in Greece.
“I’ve got family in both countries, friends in both countries, and they’ve been along for the journey the whole way.”
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Postecoglou’s wife Georgia and youngest sons Max and Alexi embraced him on the pitch after Spurs had collected their medals.
Postecoglou also opened up about how criticism of him over the club’s struggles in the Premier League this season have hit home.
He said: “It’s hard because I’m big enough and ugly enough to take whatever comes my way.
“But they get hurt when people come at me and they pay the price, particularly those closest to me, my beautiful family and my friends.
“The want to defend me and I keep telling them, it’s a small price to pay when you have nights like this.
“Just seeing them tonight, and I know everyone in Australia … it’s another special night we share together.
“Because I’m kind of the front man, it’s easy for me to take on the responsibility, but they’ve got no choice but to come along for the ride.
“Just seeing them out there now on the pitch, smiling faces, I couldn’t be happier.”
Brennan Johnson’s scruffy 42nd minute winner, which looked like a Luke Shaw own-goal, was enough to settle it as Spurs held on in added time.
Man Utd ratings: Diallo best player in Europa League final but Hojlund out of his depth
AMAD DIALLO’S fizzing first-half display was little consolation for Manchester United in a dismal 1-0 Europa League final loss to Tottenham.
Rasmus Hojlund’s plight up front continued in one of the worst European showpieces for many years – as both sides showed why they will finish in the Premier League lower reaches.
Spurs clinched it from virtually their first opportunity – on 42 minutes.
Brennan Johnson bundled in Pape Sarr’s inswinging cross, with United left-back Luke Shaw also getting a touch on the way.
The Red Devils dictated possession more and more after the break, with Leny Yoro stretching to test Guglielmo Vicario from a free-kick.
But United’s chances only arrived regularly in the final quarter of a patchy contest.
The Red Devils belatedly piled on the pressure in the seven minutes of stoppage time, but Spurs just held on.
Here’s how SunSport’s Dave Courtnadge rated United on a miserable night individually and collectively for Ruben Amorim’s men…
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