Graham Potter has risked the wrath of West Ham fans by confessing that he hopes Tottenham can reach the Europa League final. The London rivals meet in the Premier League on Sunday just days after Spurs put one foot in the European competition’s showpiece event.
The north Londoners defeated Bodo/Glimt 3-1 on Thursday in a relatively routine first-leg performance. There is now less pressure on Ange Postecoglou’s side heading into the second leg in Norway next week. Aside from also reaching the Carabao Cup semi-final, Spurs have endured a nightmare campaign, and Postecoglou’s job has hung by a thread for much of 2025. Despite West Ham fans basking in their rivals’ misery, boss Potter is ‘hopeful’ that Spurs can reach the Europa League final.
Potter said after Spurs’ success: “They’ve had a tough season. I’m pretty sure if you speak to Ange [Postecoglou], injuries, young players, the double competition [have had an impact]. In this league, nothing is forgiven. They’ve done well in Europe and hopefully they can finish the job and reach the final.”
Goals from Brennan Johnson, James Maddison and Dominic Solanke sealed a rare good evening for Spurs. Should they successfully navigate the second leg, they could meet Premier League rivals Manchester United in the final.
The Red Devils head into next week’s second leg at Old Trafford with a 3-0 lead over Athletic Bilbao, having produced one of the best performances of Ruben Amorim‘s tenure in Spain.
Meanwhile, West Ham have endured just as underwhelming a season as Spurs. Potter, who replaced the sacked Julen Lopetegui in January, has already faced criticism over his inability to arrest his side’s poor form.
The Hammers’ 3-2 defeat against Brighton last weekend left them 17th in the Premier League – although they have sealed safety for another season. Potter was criticised after the match for a perceived lack of emotion.
Asked about those claims this week, Potter responded: “Wherever I am, the feeling internally is the same because you want to do well for yourself, your family, the club you are working for. I feel the pressure of 62,000 West Ham fans – it’s a massive club with a desire to do better than we are, so you feel that.
“As I get older I care less what [the media] think, to be honest. I’m happy to just be myself. And if myself is that I’m annoyed after we’ve conceded two goals in three minutes, then I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t.
“On the one hand you’re having a go at me for being too nice, or for whatever. You get criticised for being too nice or too emotional. At the end of the day we are not winning so you have to accept that. My reaction was a human reaction from a football manager. I’d be surprised if there were too many other managers who would give you any other emotional reaction than what you got from me.”
Content Source: www.express.co.uk