Tottenham have endured a rotten 2024-25 campaign and Ange Postecoglou knows that only victory in the Europa League will do amid the growing scrutiny on the ex-Celtic chief
Ange Postecoglou is relying on a trip inside the Arctic Circle to salvage Tottenham’s season. Spurs have now lost half their games in a league season after their latest humiliation at Liverpool saw them crumble to their 19th defeat in the Premier League.
Mirror Football reported two weeks ago there was a growing sense of belief that Postecoglou will be sacked even if Tottenham won the Europa League. Postecoglou even acknowledged publicly there was a “general sentiment” he would go no matter what.
But Postecoglou is still relying on the European campaign to help him leave with his head held high as they face Norwegian minnows Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League semi final.
It would represent Tottenham’s first trophy in 17 years and a passport into the Champions League which the Aussie believes deserves respect – even if the fanbase and club hierarchy have all but lost hope.
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Tottenham have been lining up a potential list of candidates with the likes of Oliver Glasner, Marco Silva and Andoni Iraola on the shortlist. They would all fit the bill of playing expansive football and Postecoglou believes he has brought an exciting style to the club even if it has gone horribly wrong in the league this season.
Tottenham finished fifth last term, they entertained in the first half of the campaign and yet this season it has all been about the Europa League and that has resulted in domestic results tailing off badly. They have equalled their club record number of Premier League defeats – they also lost 19 in 1993/94 when they flirted even more seriously with relegation before finishing 15th.
But now they face Bodo/Glimt and a journey into the unknown for the second leg. Tottenham have been allocated 404 tickets, fans are waiting to hear who has been successful and cannot book travel until they know whether they can get into the Aspmyra Stadion.
Fans may have to fly to Oslo and change as the journey to Bodo is an extra 523 miles as the crow flies but a mammoth train or car journey. One travel operator is offering a charter trip costing £500. Bodo is just inside the Arctic Circle, boasts a plastic pitch and have beaten Lazio, Olympiacos, Besiktas and FC Twente at home as well as pushing Manchester United all the way this season.
Bodo/Glimt do have major concerns with captain Patrick Berg, Hakon Evjen and Andreas Helmersen all suspended while defender Odin Bjørtuft is a fitness worry. But Tottenham also know that, having narrowly avoid an FA Cup upset on Tamworth’s plastic pitch (when they were given around 600 tickets), they will want to take a lead for the return leg.
Tottenham have a final in Bilbao at stake when, ironically, they would be classed at the home team because of the UEFA draw rather than Athletic Bilbao who are in the other semi final and hosting the match.
That means if it Athletic Bilbao get past Manchester United and face Spurs then the hosts would be in the away dressing room in their own stadium.
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