'Not on any planet': Ange Postecoglou rejects Erik ten Hag trophy comparison | OneFootball

Manchester United’s FA Cup win last season was perhaps more of a curse than a blessing

No, mate: Ange Postecoglou

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Postecoglou's Spurs are aiming to end a miserable league campaign with a first European trophy in 41 years and are preparing for semi-final against Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt for the chance to meet United or Athletic Bilbao in the showpiece.

There have been suggestions that Postecoglou's job hinges on Spurs winning the Europa League, leading to comparisons with United's situation with Ten Hag - which have reached the Australian.

"I'm really strong at the moment of these parallel worlds we're trying to traverse [in the league and Europe], and I've sensed, which is not surprising because I've said that before, that this is the way this club is perceived that people are always trying to diminish it in some respects, you know," he said ahead of Thursday's first leg against Glimt in London.

Others have suggested that we're not worthy of the Champions League ... things designed to diminish what's ahead of us

Ange Postecoglou

"I've heard people say, 'Well, it's the equivalent of Man United winning the FA Cup'. No, it ain't. I'm sorry, it's not on any planet is it the equivalent.

“Others have suggested that maybe we're not worthy of [a place in next season's] Champions League.

"I mean, again, they're things that are designed there to diminish what's ahead of us, which is an unbelievable opportunity.

"Irrespective of how this season's gone we have generations of fans who want this more than anything else, to share again with the people that they love, a special moment, supporting their football club, so this season could have gone a lot differently and we could be flying in the league, but it wouldn't make this opportunity any different, the opportunity is the same.

"I've made that clear to the players. We're disappointed obviously with [a 5-1 league defeat on] Sunday at Liverpool, we were nowhere near the level we needed to be, but again, that's something we need to deal with separately.

"What we have before us is a semi-final of a European competition with an opportunity to get to a final, win a trophy, Champions League football. I just think for the players and everyone involved at the football club, it's a brilliant opportunity."

Date with destiny: Ange Postecoglou is fighting to save his job

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Postecoglou, whose Celtic side were twice beaten by Glimt in Europe, insists he is not underestimating Spurs' opponents, who saw off Italian club Lazio in the quarter-final and Greek giants Olympiacos in the round-of-16.

Asked by a Norwegian reporter about facing a so-called 'smaller club', Postecoglou replied: "You'd love us to think that! "That you're a small club and we don't rate... No, no, that's not how I.... I just said I think Bodo's there on merit.

"They beat Lazio, they beat Olympiacos, tough teams. They're there because they're a good football team. Doesn't matter where you come from.

"I come from the other side of the world, where football is the fourth sport. I don't underestimate anyone. You said we're a big club, they're a small club, it doesn't matter. We're two clubs in the semi-final of a European competition.

"And they've earned the right to be there. They've done very well to get there. And we're going to treat them with the respect they deserve. And at the same time, make sure that we go in there and give our best performance."