The challenge that Ange Postecoglou will throw at his Tottenham players is not just about rescuing the season in the Europa League final, but breaking a cycle of failure and setting up their photos on the walls in the club.
“That is the obstacle that this club has to overcome because it will always be there,” said the Spurs -Baas, looking ahead to the final of next week against Manchester United in Bilbao. 'Until you really do it, then you are an honest game for people to say' you have always picked it a bit on the big stage 'and what you should try to do is break that cycle.
'There must be a higher goal than closing people's mouth. I think it's more about “Can you have an impact?” I often tell the players that you want to be able to go to the clubs you have served at the end of your career and know that you have had an impact.
'The photos I see on the walls in the stadium are all from Bill Nicholson. The winning team of 1984. Many of them are in black -white. Can we get this group on that wall? '
Bill Nicholson was the manager who led Tottenham to the League and Fa Cup Double in 1961, the last time they were Champion of England. They have not lifted a European trophy since Keith Burkinshaw led them to the UEFA Cup in 1984.
But the trophies have dried up. In 34 years they have only won two competition cups and nothing since 2008.
“It is not because of a lack of high -quality players or managers who have all experienced here,” said Postecoglou. “I realized that when I took on the role. I knew it would be a huge challenge, but we gave ourselves a chance. The other important bit is to try to seize that opportunity. '
It would extend the record of the Australians of always winning a trophy in his second season at every club.
“For me personally, well, you know great, it's another trophy that I can remember on my old age,” he added. 'But even more important what it means for the club. I have always said that it is the meaning of what it does with people who really influence you.
'Much of the success I have had was things that have been pretty important. In Yokohama, where they had not won no championship for 14 years, Australia had never won a continental championship, Brisbane had never won one, South Melbourne – my first job – had not won in seven years.
“Celtic had been a year, but believe me, that's a long time in Scotland. They had to struggle back the dominance they had had been back for so long, so it's the meaning of all because you know what it does with the club and the people.
'If you look at the historical background of this club and what it has experienced in the last 20 years, I feel that it can be a turning point in terms of the way the club is observed, but also more how it takes itself, which I think is the biggest thing.
“Until you do that, regardless of what else you achieve, people will still say that you have won nothing and in our game, in life in general, those are the things that matter most when people judge where you are.”
It has been a difficult season for the Spurs boss, with a injury crisis in the middle season and European distractions that lead to a record 20 Premier League defeats this season, but bringing silverware home has always been the key to the manager.
“That is what I will be assessed on,” Postecoglou said. 'I could have been here fifth here last year, fifth this year – maybe people would not wait for the white smoke to see if it is my last – but they would still say:' You know only, that's great, but it's all done earlier. Until this club wins something, you have had no impact '.
“I knew a bit during my term of office last year, that is what I would be judged on, so now we have the chance to do that.”