Ange Postecoglou sends Aston Villa warning as Tottenham miss out on Champions League

Brian Dick

20 May 2024 at 1:45 am·2-min read

Ange Postecoglou, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur -Credit:Getty Images

Ange Postecoglou has warned Aston Villa and the teams who finished above his Tottenham side this season they will not settle for fifth in the Premier League table.

Spurs defeated Sheffield United 3-0 on the final day of the season to book their place in next season’s Europa League. They ended up two points behind Unai Emery’s men – who were beaten at Crystal Palace.

While the former Celtic boss believes that represents progress on last season’s position – he made it clear he hasn’t come to north London to settle for best of the rest status.

“It is a great challenge in the Premier League and taking over a big club that didn’t have a great year last year, you understand it is not going to run smoothly,” Postecoglou said. “I have enjoyed the whole season. I have got some lofty ambitions for the football club and until we reach that point I am not going to be smiling too much.

“I have enjoyed it and looking forward to pushing on from here. I am obviously not delighted with the way we finished the season but in fairness to the players and staff we have been in the top five all season, in a year where there was a fair bit of upheaval.

“We finished eighth last year, player turnover, different football, different way of training, it is not easy to maintain a level when you are trying to do that. Even in our tough periods this year we have still been competitive for the most part. I think I have got maximum effort, which is all a manager can ask for.”

Before today Spurs had lost five of their last six matches to slip out of the chase for Champions League qualification. As a result Villa will take part in Europe’s top competition for the first time in more than four decades.

Are you concerned about Tottenham's progress under Postecoglou? Have your say here

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Are you concerned about Tottenham's progress under Postecoglou? Have your say here

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