Summary

Media caption,

Don't worry about my future, mate - Postecoglou

  1. High spirits at San Mames training sessionpublished at 17:15 British Summer Time 20 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Our streams of England training sessions became cult viewing during Euro 2024.

    Veterans of that campaign will know we were only ever treated to the first 10 minutes or so.

    So far, the cameras have been rolling for about 30 minutes for Spurs' session this evening.

    • Watch live at the top of this page.

    Ben Davies, Son Heung-Min and Brennan Johnson trainingImage source, Getty Images
    Ange Postecoglou smiles during training sessionImage source, Getty Images
    Djed Spence and Richarlison walk onto the pitchImage source, Getty Images
    Pedro Porro during a training session at the Estadio de San MamesImage source, PA Media
    Rodrigo Bentacur trainsImage source, Getty Images
  2. 'Harry will be the biggest Spurs fan tomorrow'published at 17:10 British Summer Time 20 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-Min was asked whether he has spoken to Harry Kane: "Everybody knows Harry is my best mate and it was a huge honour playing alongside him. After he won the first title we had a chat about his trophy. He’s already on holiday so he doesn't have to text me. I just concentrate myself with the boys. Harry will be the biggest Spurs fan tomorrow. I’m definitely sure he will be supporting us from holiday."

  3. Postpublished at 17:10 British Summer Time 20 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Craig Nelson
    BBC Sport reporter

    One Spurs fan not expected to make the trip to Bilbao is former captain and leading goalscorer Harry Kane.

    He may not be there, but is very much in the thoughts of former team-mate Son Heung-min, who said he spoke with the England striker after Kane helped Bayern Munich clinch the Bundesliga title - the first trophy of his career...

  4. Spurs fans making up the numberspublished at 17:06 British Summer Time 20 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Sarah Dawkins
    BBC Sport in Bilbao

    It very much feels like the calm before the storm here. It’s a relaxed atmosphere with the mild hum of some chants as background noise.

    Walking around the city, there are pockets of activity with small crowds of fans from both teams taking over a bar here and there, but it certainly feels like there are many more people still to arrive in the next 24 hours or so.

    As predicted, Spurs fans seem to be outnumbering United at the moment. Cafeteria Swansea is just around the corner from the stadium and has been adopted by a noisy group of Spurs fans who are enjoying the sunshine and singing the afternoon away.

    We even stumbled upon one street with a Tottenham flag on each corner.

    Fans gather outside pub in Bilbao
    Fan putting up a Tottenham flag in a street in Bilbao
    Street in Bilbao with fans and a Tottenham flag
    Fans gather outside a pub in Bilbao
    Manchester United fans gather outside a pub in Bilbao
  5. Postpublished at 17:05 British Summer Time 20 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Craig Nelson
    BBC Sport reporter

    Stick with us for plenty more on the Spurs training session.

    But outside the San Mames Stadium, supporters are gathering in the centre of Bilbao...

  6. Sarr in trainingpublished at 17:03 British Summer Time 20 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Holly Bacon
    BBC Sport reporter

    Pape Matar Sarr is out there taking part in the session. Postecoglou said in his news conference he's available after he was taken off against Aston Villa last Friday.

    No James Maddison or Lucas Bergvall, who have both travelled to Bilbao but are not expected to play.

    Spurs players in trainingImage source, Getty Images
  7. Quickfire questions and answerspublished at 16:59 British Summer Time 20 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Craig Nelson
    BBC Sport reporter

    That was quite a whirl, as two Tottenham players - Pedro Porro and Son Heung-min - were quickly followed by manager Ange Postecoglou in the media room at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, before they all reconvened with the rest of the squad, immediately afterwards, on the pitch.

    The Spurs players are still out there, being put through their paces, and you can watch the session live using the play icon at the top of this page.

  8. 'I will keep on winning trophies until I finish, wherever that is'published at 16:54 British Summer Time 20 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Finally, Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou interrupted a question about his future being decided purely by the hierarchy of the football club: "I wouldn't be the first person who changes jobs. We all change jobs. My future is assured. I've got a beautiful family, I've got a great life. I will keep on winning trophies until I finish, wherever that is.

    "Don't worry about my future, mate. My future is not entwined with anything, my future is assured. Provided my health remains and my beautiful family and friends are beside me, there is nothing wrong with my future mate. Don't stress."

    The reporter followed up asking whether he feels his job would be done at the club, should they lift the Europa League trophy: "I don't think my job is done here. I really feel like we are building something and what a trophy does is hopefully accelerate that.

    "I still think there is a lot of work to be done. That is quite obvious with the challenges we've had this year, but I think there is some reasoning in the context of that but also there has been some growth that I would like to see through.

    "Whether that happens or not, that's not important right now but I don't think this job is finished. I feel like there is some growth there that we can take this club where it needs to be."

  9. Getting used to surroundingspublished at 16:53 British Summer Time 20 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Holly Bacon
    BBC Sport reporter

    The Spurs players are getting used to their surroundings and training on the pitch they'll step out onto tomorrow night.

    They're getting warm at the moment, jogging around the pitch. The sun is also beaming down.

  10. Ange on the front foot - a spellbinding news conference from Postecogloupublished at 16:50 British Summer Time 20 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport chief football news reporter in Bilbao

    That was an aggressive, emotive, spellbinding news conference from Ange Postecoglou.

    He was clearly ready with his response to the Standard's Dan Kilpatrick, who wrote in the Standard earlier this week that the Australian was teetering between being a hero and a clown.

    There was venom in his answer - "I am not a clown".

    But that gave way to emotion. His voice cracked as he spoke about his journey to the Europa League final.

    He revisited that when he spoke about his parents, and their journey from Greece to Australia and the decision they made to leave home to give their children a better life.

    He finished by telling another English reporter "don't stress" when it was suggested that tomorrow night may be his last game as Tottenham boss.

    It really was bewitching stuff. If Postecoglou's players are as determined as their manager, they will do just fine tomorrow.

    Ange Postecoglou in the San Mames StadiumImage source, Getty Images
  11. 'I'm not a clown' - Why Postecoglou reacted angrily to questionpublished at 16:46 British Summer Time 20 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Media caption,

    Don't worry about my future, mate - Postecoglou

    “I'm not a clown and never will be” was how Ange Postecoglou responded to a reporter from The Standard.

    The reporter had earlier published an article with the headline: “Teetering between hero and clown with Tottenham legacy on the line”.

    In his news conference, the reporter asked him a question about infamy and history with regard to the result tomorrow.

    The question was: "If you win tomorrow night this is going to be remembered as one of the best seasons in the club’s modern history but conversely if you lose it might be remembered for one of the worst league seasons in the club's modern history. I just wondered if you’re conscious you’re walking a fine line between two different types of infamy and history?"

    Postecoglou responded: “That depends on your outlook but I'll tell you one thing, irrespective of tomorrow, I'm not a clown and never will be.

    "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."

  12. Watch: Spurs training sessionpublished at 16:44 British Summer Time 20 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    The Tottenham players are now out training at the San Mames Stadium in Bilboa.

    Click on the play icon at the top of this page to follow live coverage.

    Ange PostecoglouImage source, PA Media
  13. 'This is not unusual territory for me'published at 16:43 British Summer Time 20 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou was asked whether he has had to address his future with the players: "No, because again that would be not really helpful in what is before us right now. I've said to the lads from day one, nothing is guaranteed in life, nothing is guaranteed in sport. You just have to try and make sure you take every opportunity before you and that is what I have done my whole career.

    "I have been in this position before, where the big game was the last game I managed. It's not unusual territory for me and I've always navigated that pretty well.

    "For me, nothing is more important than my responsibility to this football club and its fans than tomorrow, me and the players' minds are only on one thing and that's trying to create something special."

  14. 'It is a big motivation to give Son the trophy his career deserves'published at 16:41 British Summer Time 20 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou was asked about the importance of the returning Son Heung-min to the side: "It's massive to get Sonny back. We were a little bit worried when he picked up the injury because we weren't sure how long he was going to be out for. We were really pleased the other night to see him play 60-70 minutes. You could see his sharpness is coming back.

    "He is so important to the group. He is so important as a leader and he is such an important figure at this football club. It's a big motivation and driver for all of us to give him a trophy that his career deserves.

    "He is a guy that has come from the other side of the world. Not many guys have come from Asia and stayed in the Premier League - the top league in the world - for so long, maintaining that excellence. It would be great to cap that off with a trophy for him.

    "He knows and we all know that we still have to do the work. He has been in this position before with the Champions League final so he has had that experience and I am sure he will pass that on to the players."

    Ange Postecoglou and Son Heung-Min shake handsImage source, Getty Images
  15. Postpublished at 16:39 British Summer Time 20 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Craig Nelson
    BBC Sport reporter

    We will bring you more on that Evening Standard article referenced by Rob Schofield in a moment, after we have finished bringing you Ange Postecoglou's comments...

  16. 'Ange was captivating as always'published at 16:38 British Summer Time 20 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Rob Schofield
    BBC Radio 5 Live football reporter at San Mames

    Collective exhale by the hundreds in the press room. Incredibly tense and dramatic news conference. Anger, humour, emotion. It had it all.

    Ange made a point of thanking a Greek journalist for a question about his upbringing and what it meant to be the first Greek/Australian manager to be in this position.

    He also had clearly read an article he didn't like labelling him as a clown and took it out on the journalist from that newspaper. Ange, captivating as always.

    Ange Postecoglou, Manager of Tottenham HotspurImage source, Getty Images
  17. 'I am proud of my roots in Greece and Australia'published at 16:32 British Summer Time 20 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    More from Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou on being the first Australian and Greek man to coach at a European final: "I'm very proud of that.

    "I was born in Greece, I'm a very proud Greek. My father made sure that I understood where our roots were and what it means to be Greek and I've carried that through my life.

    "I grew up in Australia, on the other side of the world, where football wasn't a prominent sport, but my father took his love of football from Greece to Australia. Both my mum and my dad worked very hard, they left their home country and everything they knew for their kids and for me. I hold that dear to my heart. He's not with me today but he is with me all the time so I feel very strongly.

    "I love being Greek. I love that I was brought up in Greece, I think it is where I will retire one day, and I love that I grew up in Australia - a country where football wasn't a big sport - but when you grow up in Australia you have the attitude that when it comes to sport you will take on anyone, no matter how big or small. I'm proud of my roots in both."

  18. 'I will continue trying to win trophies wherever I am after tomorrow'published at 16:26 British Summer Time 20 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Here's the full line from Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou on what he thinks about the talk that this may be his penultimate game in charge: "It doesn't matter really. The reality of it is, the opportunity is the same. For me and more importantly for the club.

    "Whatever happens beyond tomorrow is irrelevant when you think about the opportunity that exists right now and that is to provide something special for this football club, its supporters and everyone that has worked so hard for a trophy.

    "If I was worried about my tenure at this football club, it's fair to say we wouldn't be in this position because I would have been distracted long ago.

    "I'm pretty good at ensuring my focus is on giving this football club its best opportunity that it has had for a while to do something special.

    "Whatever happens after that, I'm very comfortable that I will continue trying to win trophies wherever I am."

    Tottenham manager Ange PostecoglouImage source, Getty Images
  19. 'My future is assured'published at 16:25 British Summer Time 20 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Ange Postecoglou says that his future is assured and he would continue winning trophies "no matter where that may be", but added that he feels as if he is building something at Tottenham and does not believe that winning the Europa League final would be his final chapter at the club.

    With that, his news conference was brought to a close.

    We will continue to bring you the top lines from his news conference, as well as some more quotes from Son Heung-min from earlier.

    More to follow.

  20. Previous wins this season against Man Utd 'are not important'published at 16:20 British Summer Time 20 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    More from Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou on already playing Manchester United three times this season and beating them each time: "It's a final and those kind of things aren't important. What I do know is, even your form going into it, even if you're in terrible form - it doesn't matter. What matters is how the players cope with the occasion, how they cope with understanding the importance of the game - from both clubs. You just don't know how players will react to such a big occasion.

    "My role in that is to try and prepare the players in the best possible way and to also prepare the players for Manchester United to be at their best. If you prepare that way and go out there and play to the potential you can then you give yourself an opportunity.

    "I don't think it really matters what you've done before against any opposition when it comes to big games. Maybe in the league its a bit different but in a big important final - everything gets decided on the day."

    Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou shakes hands with Manchester United head coach Ruben AmorimImage source, Getty Images