Postecoglou's second-season success - what and how has he won?
"I always win things in my second year. Nothing has changed. I don't say things unless I believe them."
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, having just seen his side lose 1-0 at home to rivals Arsenal back in September, was in defiant mood and that quote has followed and been repeated to him all season.
His side came close to proving him right earlier this year.
Spurs held a 1-0 lead after the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool, only to then capitulate 4-0 in the reverse fixture at Anfield.
But Tottenham fell at the fourth-round hurdle of the FA Cup, losing at Aston Villa, while the club are on course for their worst campaign in the Premier League era as they are 17th with one game to go and a mammoth 45 points behind champions Liverpool.
Yet, the 59-year-old Australian, who began working at Spurs in July 2023, is one game away from having the last laugh.
He will take charge of Spurs for the 100th time on Wednesday when they play Manchester United in the Europa League final in Bilbao.
A win would take Spurs into the Champions League, silence Postecoglou's critics, maintain his superb second-year record and maybe keep him in his job.
He won the Australian title with both South Melbourne and Brisbane Roar and the Japanese league with Yokohama F. Marinos - all in his second season or second full season in charge.
Postecoglou also won the Asian Cup two years after becoming Australia boss - and the Scottish championship in both seasons with Celtic.
The 59-year-old did not see out two seasons in charge of the three clubs he failed to win anything at - smaller clubs Panachaiki and Whittlesea Zebras, and Melbourne Victory, whom he left after 18 months for the Australia job.
We have taken a look at how he has enjoyed second-season success throughout his career.
Matches: 113. Wins: 83 Draws: 12. Losses: 18. Goals scored: 284. Goals conceded: 108.
Postecoglou came to Celtic in June 2021, just after Steven Gerrard had guided Rangers to the Scottish Premiership title.
But the Australian did not need two seasons before winning, as he took the Bhoys to five trophies in his two years at the club.
In his first campaign they became Scottish champions and won the League Cup, before they added the Scottish Cup to make it a domestic treble in his second year with him then before moving to Tottenham.
Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart had already won two Premier League titles with Manchester City before he was instrumental in Celtic's success. He felt one of Postecoglou's main strengths was getting his players to view the game in a different way and teach them new skills.
"He is top, really, really good," said Hart after Postecoglou's second Scottish title victory in May 2023. "He is really clear in what he wants and the biggest buzz for me is playing for someone who is pushing me and I am learning new things every day - it makes me feel alive.
"I have played in different teams that have been successful. Identity in football has always been there, but in terms of having a real way of playing, this is the first time I have been part of a team with that.
"I genuinely feel comfortable making risky passes, short passes, and if someone does miss a pass or a tackle and the ball goes in, I don't think any of us would even flinch because that's what we are being asked to do."
(Source:BBC)
