Ange Postecoglou recently put himself and Tottenham in the spotlight with a confident declaration that he “always” wins a trophy in his second season in charge.
The remark drew attention, coming from the manager of a club that hasn’t seen silverware since Juande Ramos led them to a League Cup win in 2008. Yet Postecoglou was simply pointing to a pattern in his career.
That path to fulfilling his claim took a solid step forward with Tottenham's hard-fought 2-1 victory over Manchester City, securing a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash at home against Manchester United.
For context, Postecoglou has a history of second-season success: he claimed league titles in Australia with South Melbourne and Brisbane Roar, as well as in Japan with Yokohama F. Marinos. He also led Australia to an Asian Cup victory in 2015, two years into his tenure, and secured the Scottish Premiership in each of his two seasons at Celtic.
There were stints without trophies, but these included shorter tenures with Greece’s Panachaiki, Whittlesea Zebras, and Melbourne Victory.
Previous Tottenham managers—including Andre Villas-Boas, Tim Sherwood, and Antonio Conte—were not granted a full second season. Jose Mourinho, likewise, missed his chance to break the trophy drought when he was dismissed just days before the 2021 Carabao Cup final against Manchester City, while Nuno Espirito Santo left within four months.
Some eyebrows were raised at Postecoglou’s bold claim, yet he was simply drawing on his own successful track record. His statement was indeed a show of confidence—backed by the results he’s achieved over his career.
Stating past achievements is one thing; delivering them at Spurs is another. Still, the Carabao Cup now offers a prime opportunity for Tottenham’s long-awaited success, even though Manchester United, likely led by new head coach Ruben Amorim, will be equally ambitious.
Postecoglou needed his team to show its best side after recent performances revealed a frustrating inconsistency—from blowing a 2-0 halftime lead to lose 3-2 at Brighton, to a tame defeat by Crystal Palace last weekend.
A loss to City would have increased scrutiny on Postecoglou—not on his job security, but on whether his relentless commitment to an all-out attacking style could deliver the results he promises.
Instead, this was the thrilling, dynamic Spurs that fans have come to expect under Postecoglou.
Although Manchester City fielded a weakened lineup, with Erling Haaland left on the bench even as they chased an equalizer, their squad still boasted plenty of quality, making this win all the more satisfying for Spurs.
It was the unpredictable Timo Werner who got them started, scoring just five minutes in with a powerful shot from a Dejan Kulusevski assist—a move that required only instinct, which often suits Werner best.
This goal marked his first of the season and just his third in 26 appearances for Spurs, but the warm reception from fans and teammates alike showed his popularity endures. At Chelsea, he was similarly beloved, his boundless energy often outweighing finishing struggles.
The crowd’s chant of "Timo Werner—he scores when he wants" was laden with irony, but affectionately so.
Spurs extended their lead with Pape Matar Sarr’s precise finish, and while nerves briefly flared when Matheus Nunes gave City hope right before halftime, Postecoglou’s team held their ground. They created more clear chances and were rarely threatened, with Yves Bissouma making a critical line clearance from Nico O'Reilly just minutes from the end.
A late City equalizer would have been unfair; Spurs truly had their number, marking their sixth win in eight games at home this season.
Postecoglou has cut a frustrated figure as Spurs oscillated between standout performances, like the 3-0 win over Manchester United, and disappointments against Brighton and Palace. His “second season syndrome” remark may have put pressure on himself and his players, but with performances like this, he could well deliver on his promise.
The key will be consistency—if Postecoglou can summon the Spurs who defeated Manchester United and City, rather than the one that stumbled against Brighton and Palace, his ambitious vision might just become reality. This is the Spurs that Postecoglou wants the world to see.
