As Tottenham prepare to take on Manchester United in Bilbao in a Europa League final that will save one side’s season from disaster, we sat down with former Spurs midfielder and top flight manager Gus Poyet to chat about the two men in the dugouts.
Pressure mounting on Postecoglou
No doubt aware of the importance of the showdown in Spain not just for Tottenham but for his own future, Postecoglou has been in no mood to joke around with reporters in the build-up to the final.
Asked about a comment by Ruben Amorim that the Red Devils couldn’t possibly lose to the Lilywhites a fourth time this season, the former Celtic boss responded: “I’m sure in there, there’s some Portuguese humour. There’s a little irony there. I’m sure Ruben doesn’t think that way. We’ve had some good games against United this year and last year, and we have come out on top, but it’s the final of a major tournament.
“I think the one thing you don’t look at is previous head-to-head comparisons. They become irrelevant, it’s all about who performs on the day.”
There have indeed been widespread reports that the 59 year-old will be sacked if Spurs do not end their wait for a trophy next week, and speaking to Football FanCast in partnership with BetBrain, former White Hart Lane midfielder Poyet insisted the game is bigger for Ange than for his Portuguese counterpart: “I would think Ange (has more pressure), because of his words a few months ago when he said ‘I always win a trophy in my second season.’
“When you commit like that, it’s a big commitment because it’s not easy, especially at Tottenham. Now, the opportunity is massive, so it will be amazing if he wins it.”
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However, with United also toiling domestically, sitting just one point ahead of Tottenham with an abysmal goal difference of -11, the Uruguyan revealed there may be some regrets seeping in for the former Sporting CP boss: “I think for Amorim, it (winning the final) would be a plus to have an OK season. Maybe personally for him it would be important.
“But for the club, Man United, we all dream of managing one of those big clubs, but when you see what is happening he’s probably thinking ‘What did I do?’, and that’s a really bad feeling.”
Matches
25
Wins
6
Draws
6
Losses
13
Points
24
Goals for
30
Goals against
41
Indeed, the 40 year-old’s top flight form has been nothing short of embarassing – by his own admission – having gathered just 0.96 points per game since arriving in November of last year, which would return just over 36 points in a full campaign. Since the switch to a 20-team competition in 1995/1996, the average points needed for Premier League survival has been 37.86, meaning the Red Devils are well and truly in relegation form since Erik Ten Hag was replaced.