Ange Postecoglou: Champions League qualification is not a 'Willy Wonka ticket' for Tottenham

Tottenham manager Ange Postecolgou says qualifying for the UEFA Champions League is not “a Willy Wonka golden ticket” and has to be the basis for growth.

In recent years, Tottenham have been in and out of Europe’s most prestigious club competition, but only once - under Mauricio Pochettino - did they get to the final, and they are yet to lift the trophy.

Since that 2019 final when they lost 2-0 to Liverpool, they have reached the competition twice and have not got past the last 16.

Their inclusion for next season is by no means certain, as they sit in fifth place ahead of the weekend’s game against Aston Villa, directly above them in fourth.

Postecoglou cautioned on focusing too much on the top four if it did not then build momentum.

"It's not a Willy Wonka golden ticket - it just gets you a year [in the competition]," he said at a press conference.

"But if you don't grow from that, then it's pointless. We're not going to be in it for participation, we're in it to win things."

He added: "I don't see the sense in trying to aim for something other than number one. What's the point?

"I'm not built to build for anything other than the top. If I fall short, then that's on me, but I'm not going to create a scenario where I'm happy with anything other than the best."

The Australian said that he would prefer to "lay foundations to win things", so "that we can challenge next year".

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