‘My responsibility’ – Ange Postecoglou’s brutally honest admission after humbling Bodo/Glimt defeat
Ange Postecoglou has changed his approach to avoid more European heartbreak to Bodo/Glimt, after insisting history won’t repeat itself. The Australian stands on the precipice of the two most humbling nights of his managerial career happening above the Arctic Circle. Postecoglou made sure his Tottenham players have trained on Bodo’s plastic pitchGetty The Tottenham boss knows that success in the Europa League is his only lingering hope of saving a dismal season – and possibly his job. Spurs are 25 points adrift of the top five, and European glory is their only route back into the Champions League. The Lilywhites are one match away from reaching UEFA’s final in Bilbao following their 3-1 semi-final first-leg win over Bodo last week. However, the Norwegian champions boast an outstanding record on home territory, as Tottenham chief Postecoglou knows all too well. The former Celtic boss was knocked out of the Conference League in 2022 by this evening’s opponents, losing 5-1 on aggregate. Bodo/Glimt comfortably advanced from the knockout round play-off tie three years ago after a 3-1 victory at Celtic Park in the first leg. They then followed up that win by beating the Hoops 2-0 at the Aspmyra Stadion, with a repeat tonight enough to cause extra-time. It would perfectly mirror the path Bodo took to eliminate Lazio in the quarter-finals, with the club losing every away leg in the Europa League knockouts this season but still progressing. Postecoglou didn’t get a chance to take a lead with Celtic three years ago, with his old team suffering the reverse result of Spurs. Following the Scottish side’s first leg defeat, he explained: “Disappointing night, obviously, we didn’t get the result we wanted. The Norwegian champions thrashed Celtic 5-1 on aggregate in 2022 “Our performance was ok, I thought we controlled the game, but obviously got caught on the counter-attack a couple of times, which they scored from. “That kind of made us a little bit vulnerable going forward.” However, Postecoglou did not hold back after their elimination was confirmed following a loss on Bodo’s artificial surface a week later. It came as the Scottish giants were knocked out of a third continental competition of the season after earlier exits from the Champions League and Europa League. In a brutally honest admission, the 59-year-old told Celtic TV: “It’s fair to say we weren’t at the levels we needed to be over the two legs and they deservedly go through. “It’s disappointing for us. We certainly wanted to make progress in this competition, but unfortunately, our performances haven’t warranted it. XPostecoglou made a brutally honest admission after Bodo humbled Celtic[/caption] “If you don’t perform at the levels we have been, then we won’t be successful. “They were probably our least effective two performances in Europe this year, including when we got beat 4-0 by Leverkusen. “When you are at that level you don’t get the opportunity to progress. “When you look at our European campaign, ultimately we haven’t succeeded. “That to me is the bottom line, irrespective of progress or improvement or learnings. “This football club should be making an impact in Europe and it’s my job to make sure we do.” Bodo are hoping to stop Spurs reaching the Europa League finalgetty Postecoglou has unhappy memories of the club’s 3g pitchGetty Ahead of the first-leg against Bodo/Glimt, who are still managed by the same coach, Kjetil Knutsen, Postecoglou recalled their previous encounter. Discussing his opponents’ rise, he revealed: “I don’t think it’s surprising. I, obviously, have history with Bodo. We played them when I was at Celtic. “I scouted them pretty extensively for that game. I remember they beat Roma at home, with Jose [Mourinho], and Jose speaking about how difficult it was playing there, and I followed them closely. “You have seen their growth. They are very difficult. Got a good talent ID. Players who have moved on and done really well. Very consistent. Same manager, which always helps. “Then built a real belief in their club. I think they have earned the right to be in the semi-final. “It’s not like they have had an easy ride through it. “They are a very, very difficult opponent away from home. Absolutely. You just have to look at their record. “I certainly won’t underestimate them. I know them really well and I know the challenge we have to overcome them.” The Aspmyra Stadion is located above the Arctic CircleGetty Postecoglou exacted his revenge on Bodo in north London, but will remain wary of slipping up at the 8,270-seater Aspmyra Stadion. When he made the trip to the Arctic with Celtic, Postecoglou didn’t have his side train on the artificial turf. The Aussie changed his approach this time around – although he insisted that fans shouldn’t read too much into that
Ange Postecoglou has changed his approach to avoid more European heartbreak to Bodo/Glimt, after insisting history won’t repeat itself.
The Australian stands on the precipice of the two most humbling nights of his managerial career happening above the Arctic Circle.
The Tottenham boss knows that success in the Europa League is his only lingering hope of saving a dismal season – and possibly his job.
Spurs are 25 points adrift of the top five, and European glory is their only route back into the Champions League.
The Lilywhites are one match away from reaching UEFA’s final in Bilbao following their 3-1 semi-final first-leg win over Bodo last week.
However, the Norwegian champions boast an outstanding record on home territory, as Tottenham chief Postecoglou knows all too well.
The former Celtic boss was knocked out of the Conference League in 2022 by this evening’s opponents, losing 5-1 on aggregate.
Bodo/Glimt comfortably advanced from the knockout round play-off tie three years ago after a 3-1 victory at Celtic Park in the first leg.
They then followed up that win by beating the Hoops 2-0 at the Aspmyra Stadion, with a repeat tonight enough to cause extra-time.
It would perfectly mirror the path Bodo took to eliminate Lazio in the quarter-finals, with the club losing every away leg in the Europa League knockouts this season but still progressing.
Postecoglou didn’t get a chance to take a lead with Celtic three years ago, with his old team suffering the reverse result of Spurs.
Following the Scottish side’s first leg defeat, he explained: “Disappointing night, obviously, we didn’t get the result we wanted.
“Our performance was ok, I thought we controlled the game, but obviously got caught on the counter-attack a couple of times, which they scored from.
“That kind of made us a little bit vulnerable going forward.”
However, Postecoglou did not hold back after their elimination was confirmed following a loss on Bodo’s artificial surface a week later.
It came as the Scottish giants were knocked out of a third continental competition of the season after earlier exits from the Champions League and Europa League.
In a brutally honest admission, the 59-year-old told Celtic TV: “It’s fair to say we weren’t at the levels we needed to be over the two legs and they deservedly go through.
“It’s disappointing for us. We certainly wanted to make progress in this competition, but unfortunately, our performances haven’t warranted it.
“If you don’t perform at the levels we have been, then we won’t be successful.
“They were probably our least effective two performances in Europe this year, including when we got beat 4-0 by Leverkusen.
“When you are at that level you don’t get the opportunity to progress.
“When you look at our European campaign, ultimately we haven’t succeeded.
“That to me is the bottom line, irrespective of progress or improvement or learnings.
“This football club should be making an impact in Europe and it’s my job to make sure we do.”
Ahead of the first-leg against Bodo/Glimt, who are still managed by the same coach, Kjetil Knutsen, Postecoglou recalled their previous encounter.
Discussing his opponents’ rise, he revealed: “I don’t think it’s surprising. I, obviously, have history with Bodo. We played them when I was at Celtic.
“I scouted them pretty extensively for that game. I remember they beat Roma at home, with Jose [Mourinho], and Jose speaking about how difficult it was playing there, and I followed them closely.
“You have seen their growth. They are very difficult. Got a good talent ID. Players who have moved on and done really well. Very consistent. Same manager, which always helps.
“Then built a real belief in their club. I think they have earned the right to be in the semi-final.
“It’s not like they have had an easy ride through it.
“They are a very, very difficult opponent away from home. Absolutely. You just have to look at their record.
“I certainly won’t underestimate them. I know them really well and I know the challenge we have to overcome them.”
Postecoglou exacted his revenge on Bodo in north London, but will remain wary of slipping up at the 8,270-seater Aspmyra Stadion.
When he made the trip to the Arctic with Celtic, Postecoglou didn’t have his side train on the artificial turf.
The Aussie changed his approach this time around – although he insisted that fans shouldn’t read too much into that.
“It was different circumstances, a different scenario with Celtic, but tonight was more about we’ve done this with Frankfurt, we’ve done it consistently through Europe,” he said at his press conference.
“We just feel this works for us, and players are used to coming the night before and training at the venue, so it made sense for us to do it this year.”
Whether it’ll pay off only time will tell as Postecoglou faces the biggest test yet to deliver on his famous second-season promise.
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