Ange Postecoglou: Gareth Bale, Rio Ferdinand hail 'loveable, humble' Tottenham boss after Europa League triumph - ‘They’ve shut a lot of people up’

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Ange Postecoglou was victorious in his bid to continue his record of always winning a trophy in his second season with a club. Rio Ferdinand and Gareth Bale hailed the Tottenham boss as "loveable" and "humble" for his response to criticism throughout the season and finally delivering on his promise. Brennan Johnson scored the only goal as Manchester United were beaten 1-0 in the final in Bilbao.

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Ange Postecoglou delivered on his promise. The Tottenham Hotspur boss kept up his record of winning a trophy in his second season, as his side defeated Manchester United 1-0 in the UEFA Europa League final in Bilbao.

A scrappy first-half goal from Brennan Johnson was the difference in the end as Postecoglou ended Spurs' 17-year wait for a trophy and the club's first European title since 1984.

With his team sitting 17th in the Premier League table with one game to go, the Greek-Australian came under some intense scrutiny ahead of the showpiece at San Mames.

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But far from ending up a clown, Postecoglou has now put an end to the taunting and teasing from rival fans, according to Rio Ferdinand.

"They’ve been the butt of many jokes from other teams about how they can’t win a trophy. But they’ve proved today, they’ve shut a lot of people up," the TNT Sports expert said.

"And that argument in the pubs and in front rooms all around the country will have to be stopped now, because they’ve proved that they’ve got that monkey off that back now, and they can hopefully build on this."

While Tottenham's domestic form has been shaky at best - with the club winless in six league matches heading into Wednesday's final - Postecoglou won over the former Manchester United defender with his approach to criticism and "warm" disposition.

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"I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for Ange Postecoglou because I think he’s come in for a lot of criticism, some of it unfair," Ferdinand continued.

"Yes he’s been prickly at times, but who wouldn’t be, someone under that type of scrutiny and criticism? There’s been a lot thrown at him this season.

"He’s a loveable character. He’s warm. He brings you in, doesn’t he? He’s got that human side to him."

And Tottenham icon Gareth Bale agreed, calling the ex-Celtic boss "humble" and someone who "deserves" the success in Bilbao.

"One thing you can say about Ange is he’s just a very humble guy," said Champions League legend Bale.

"Even in press conferences, he will always speak the truth, he will always speak his heart. He’s worn his heart on his sleeve and he protects his players under any scrutiny.

"He’ll always take the flak, whether they’ve made a mistake on the pitch, he will always take it on his chin and I think the players have rallied behind him and they’ve given him what he deserves."

Whether that will be enough to keep the 59-year-old in a job to see the start of next season remains to be seen, but Bale believes the Tottenham hierarchy should grant him more time.

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"I think only the chairman can decide [whether he stays], to be honest. There’s been so much talk about whether he goes or whether he doesn’t," Bale concluded.

"I guess it’ll be interesting to see that because he’s won a trophy, the first Tottenham manager to do so in a long time. So I guess the board has some decisions to make.

"I like the football that he plays. Obviously he lacks a bit of a plan B. But tonight showed there is a plan B. There’s a different side to how he’s played.

"So I guess if he also matures as a manager and brings that defensive side to his teams, of course he can still have great success here."

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