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Thursday’s briefing: Differing fortunes for Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou

Tottenham ended a 17-year wait for a trophy but their victory in the Europa League final piled more scrutiny on Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim.

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglu is by no means safe after a terrible domestic season, but the Australian feels he can take the club into the Champions League.

Ange eager for another shot

Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou believes he has unfinished business with the club despite his job being under threat

Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou believes he has unfinished business with the club despite his job being under threat(Andrew Milligan/PA)

Under-fire Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglu insists he has unfinished business at the club after they won their first trophy in 17 years with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final.

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For weeks the Australian has looked set for the exit as woeful domestic form has left Spurs 17th in the Premier League and even bringing home a trophy may not be enough to save him.

“That decision is not in my hands,” he told TNT Sports.

“I don’t feel I’ve completed the job yet, we are still building, but the moment I accepted the role I had one thing in my mind and that was to win something.

“We’ve done that now and I want to build on it. I think there is an opportunity here, that’s my belief.”

Europa League defeat leaves Amorim under scrutiny

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim faces even more scrutiny after losing the Europa League final

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim faces even more scrutiny after losing the Europa League final(Nick Potts/PA)

Ruben Amorim says he will leave without a pay-off if Manchester United’s board and fans want him to after the painful Europa League final loss.

The Red Devils, 16th in the Premier League, will be without European football for the first time since 2014/15.

“In this moment I am not going to be here defending myself. It’s not my style, I cannot do it,” said the United head coach, who has won just six Premier League matches since succeeding Erik ten Hag in November.

“If the board and the fans feel that I am not the right guy, I will go in the next day without any conversation about compensation. But I will not quit.

“I am really confident in my job and, as you can see, I will not change anything in how I do things.”

Ferdinand says European failure will impact United’s transfer plans

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes a lack of Champions League football will damage the club’s transfer plans

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes a lack of Champions League football will damage the club’s transfer plans(Andrew Milligan/PA)

Rio Ferdinand believes a “disaster of a season” will result in Manchester United missing out on top targets now their Champions League hopes have disappeared.

Ferdinand told TNT Sports: “It’s been a disaster of a season which has ended on a bad note but I don’t think they did enough to deserve it. I thought both teams looked scared to lose it.

“You can’t expect to win a trophy when you are playing a little bit reserved and conservative, you have to be brave in these moments. It’s going to be a long, long summer.

“That recruitment list they had will have to be scrapped now because they are not going to have Champions League football. It is a completely different list to recruit from.”

Foden opens up on mental struggles

Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden has had a mentally tough season

Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden has had a mentally tough season(Mike Egerton/PA)

Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden wants to get “mentally right” after admitting off-field issues contributed to a difficult season personally.

The 24-year-old, who swept up the individual awards after last season’s Premier League title win, sustained an ankle injury in April at Old Trafford and was targeted with derogatory chants about his mother.

“I’ve had a lot of things going on off the pitch mentally,” said Foden, who has reportedly asked to be left out of the next England squad.

“Sometimes there’s things in life that’s bigger than football and this season I’ve struggled a little bit, but hopefully next year I can get my head mentally right.”

What’s on today?

A place in the Scottish Premiership is at stake as Livingston host Ross County in the play-off final first leg.

Livi are looking for an immediate return to the top flight after relegation last season while County are trying to avoid the drop for the third successive year.

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