Ange Postecoglou angrily defended his record at Tottenham Hotspur ahead of Wednesday’s Europa League final after a terrible Premier League season, stating: “I’m not a clown”.
Tottenham faces Manchester United in Bilbao with a chance to win its first trophy for 17 years.
The Australian, whose side is 17th in the Premier League – a place below United – has been under increasing pressure over recent months.
Many observers believe his future hangs in the balance regardless of the result at the San Mames stadium.
Postecoglou was asked at his pre-match press conference whether he is aware that he is walking a fine line between infamy and history ahead of the match in northern Spain.
“That depends on your outlook, but I’ll tell you one thing, irrespective of tomorrow, I’m not a clown and never will be,” he said, directly addressing a reporter who had used the word in an article.
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“You really disappointed me that you used such terminology to describe a person that, for 26 years, without any favours from anyone, has worked his way to a position where he is leading out a club in a European final. For you to suggest that somehow us not being successful means that I’m a clown, I’m not sure how to answer that question,” he added.
The former Australia and Celtic boss said he had worked hard at Spurs, who have not won a trophy since 2008 and have not tasted European success since 1984.
“I’ve tried as hard as I can to stick to that process in getting the club to a position where they can challenge for trophies and at the same time, rejuvenate the squad and change the playing style,” he said.
“It has been a fair assignment with plenty of challenges along the way. With such a big game tomorrow, there is an opportunity to fulfil at least the main task I was given, which was to bring trophies to the club,” he added.