Sport
Postecoglou argues that his aim is not for Spurs to win FA Cup.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has insisted that sustained success is his goal ahead of Friday night’s FA Cup fourth round showdown with holders Manchester City
Ange Postecoglou admits he shares Tottenham ’s pain of 16 years without a trophy while watching other clubs lift silverware.
But Postecoglou insists lifting the FA Cup this season is not his main objective because he wants to build foundations for long term success. Fit-again James Maddison is ready to give Spurs a major boost as they face holders Manchester City on Friday night with Pep Guardiola ’s men yet to even score at Tottenham’s new stadium in five visits.
Tottenham know the FA Cup is their last realistic hope of a trophy this season which would be their first since the League Cup in 2008.
But Postecoglou said: “It’s very important, not because of any other reason but what it would mean to our supporters. We, as in managers and players, come and go. Even the great ones at some point finish.
“But the supporters are always there. They’ve had to sit through year after year of not winning a trophy. Watching other clubs win trophies so you know what it means.
“But I’ve said before that I can’t charter my course of what I want to build here. I want to build a team that brings success and challenges for trophies every year. Because while one trophy will satisfy that thirst, which I understand, if the following year we struggle and fall back to mediocrity then it will quickly get forgotten. And that’s not what this club is about.
“My goal when I was brought in was to take this club to be a club which competes for honours every year and that’s what I’m focused on. It will not come from the joy of a one-off. I know that it would probably be good for me if it happens. It would be great for me. But it’s not what I’m interested in. I’m interested in taking this club to a level where it has success on a regular basis.”
England midfielder Maddison has returned to training this week after three months out with an ankle injury and he also benefitted from a break in Dubai during that time. Postecoglou admitted part of the reason they sent him away was because Maddison found it so difficult to be around his team-mates but not being able to play.
He added: “It’s been tough for him. Because he does love his football, he loves the environment of football clubs, he loves the dressing room. He’s kind of a force within that. It’s hard for all players when they’ve got to go through rehab, especially a character like him.
“I suggest that our sports science staff wouldn’t enjoy the one-on-one with Madders. He’s more of a guy who wants to be in the group. We did send him away in the middle of it. We felt it was good for him to get away with his family, so we sent a physio with him.
“I think that helped bridge that time. When he got back from that, he was refreshed. Once he could see the finish line of ‘Ok, I’m getting to the tail end of it’ … you could see his spirits lift. It’s been good to get him back.
“I know what Madders expects. And in training, you wouldn’t know that he’s missed so much. The quality is there straight away and everyone notices it. And he’s looking good physically. So I’m sure that he’s the kind of guy who will want to make up for lost time and come back in and make an impact straight away.
