‘Or else’ - Ange Postecoglou fires Champions League dig at Newcastle United before Tottenham Hotspur clash

Ange Postecoglou has insisted earning a Champions League spot will not be the “end point” for Tottenham Hotspur.

Last year, celebrations erupted around St James’ Park when Newcastle United qualified for UEFA’s elite sporting competition. Eddie Howe guided the Magpies back to the promised land for the first time in 20 years.

However, that has come at a cost, with Newcastle’s gruelling fixture list cited as one reason for this season’s injury crisis. Postecoglou had a fiery exchange with a reporter last week, insisting Champions League football does not grant a “Willy Wonka ticket” for future success.

The 58-year-old doubled down on that claim ahead of Tottenham’s trip to Newcastle today. Postecoglou said: “I don't think it should be the end point or some avenue you think will get you to be successful for a sustained period just because you have achieved that. 

“Certainly, there is a cautionary tale there that getting into the Champions League also means greater demands. Demands on players, demands on the squad and you have to be geared up for it or else it can affect all parts of your season.

“It has been tough on Newcastle this year because the progress last year was fantastic, the reward for that was Champions League and, this year, for whatever reason, it has made it a really challenging season on all fronts for them.”

Postecoglou stayed clear from suggesting he will learn from Newcastle’s mistakes should Spurs qualify for the Champions League. He added: “No (whether he will learn from Newcastle), because I don't think that is the way you learn. I think you learn from your own journey and understanding every club is unique. 

“Every approach is different and you have to have a set idea in your own mind about how you need to set up and what you need for your own growth. Obviously, whatever clubs and other managers go through, from my perspective, what I have experienced in my career is everything is a little bit unique. 

“You never really know all the details about someone else's trajectory and sometimes there are false lessons in there, which seem quite obvious but, when you peel it back, are not a good reference point to yourself.”