Ange Postecoglou reveals alternative speech for Tottenham victory parade
Former Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has revealed he considered delivering an angry departure speech during the club’s Europa League victory parade last season after learning he was to be sacked.
The Australian guided Spurs to their first major silverware in 17 years before being dismissed following a disappointing 17th-place finish in the Premier League.
Despite suspecting his tenure was abruptly ending, the 59-year-old opted to deliver a hopeful message to the estimated 150,000 supporters lining the streets of north London.
‘Up yours and see you later’
Speaking to Melbourne-based radio station SEN 1116, the former Celtic boss explained the internal conflict he faced while standing on the open-top bus.
“It was funny because when we got to the parade, I kind of had two speeches planned that day and I wasn’t sure which way it was going to go.”
Ange Postecoglou
The dismissed coach consulted his wife before choosing to avoid aiming frustration directly at the club hierarchy in front of celebrating fans.
“I tested it obviously with Georgia, my wife. Do I just give them an ‘up yours and see you later’? Because I knew I was gone by then, it was clear.”
He ultimately decided the joyous atmosphere warranted a positive outlook, famously declaring to the roaring crowd that “season three is better than season two”.
Spurs struggle after ‘hard reset’
Tottenham have endured significant instability since electing to replace the Europa League winner with former Brentford manager Thomas Frank last summer.
The north London side currently sit just one point above the Premier League relegation zone with only seven matches remaining.
A recent 3-0 defeat by Nottingham Forest has sparked widespread speculation that current head coach Igor Tudor could soon become the third managerial casualty of the campaign.
Admitting it has been uncomfortable to watch his former team falter, the Australian questioned the board’s drastic change in tactical direction.
“They’ve gone for a real hard reset. Thomas Frank’s a fantastic manager and he’s obviously done very well in the Premier League, but you’re going in a totally different direction.”
