Ben Davies has come out in full support of Ange Postecoglou, despite Tottenham’s dismal 17th-place finish in the Premier League.
The Wales captain has insisted his Spurs manager has delivered where it matters—by bringing silverware back to North London.
Amid uncertainty over Postecoglou’s future, with speculation swirling despite the club's Europa League triumph, Davies, now Spurs’ longest-serving player, offered a passionate defence of the Australian’s impact.
“He’s delivered what was asked of him,” said Davies, who came off the bench for Spurs last Sunday in their final league game of the season, a 4-1 home defeat to Brighton.
“He came in and wanted to change the history of the club and to win trophies and that’s exactly what he has done,” said Davies.
“Do the players want him to stay? Yeah, the boys know it’s been an incredibly tough season but one thing we’ve done is stuck together all the way through.
“We’ve had some success. Who knows what will happen but the boys are here for him.”
The Wales centre-back, 32, has made 358 appearances since joining Tottenham from Swansea City in 2014 and has seen his fair share of heartache.
READ MORE: Ben Davies of Tottenham
But that made last week’s Europa League Final win—sealed by Wales teammate Brennan Johnson’s goal against Manchester United in Bilbao—all the sweeter.
“It’s been pretty crazy. From my personal standpoint it’s a lot of relief. It’s something we’ve been desperate to do to get the monkey off our back,” Davies reflected.
“I have to remind the younger boys, if they are coming in and winning something in their first year, that it is not as easy as they think it is.
“It’s about the hard work you put in, the sacrifices you make. And it pays off on days like Wednesday.”
Though he did not come off the bench in the final, Davies’ contribution over the course of the tournament—eight appearances in the Europa League campaign—meant he experienced every moment from the heart.
“It was a really emotional moment when the final whistle went. I know I didn’t play, but it still meant everything to win for this club. It’s my club now, I feel part of the family and I was delighted to be involved.
“I’ve given this club 11 years of my life. It’s become my club, along with the Swans, I have to say.
“I’ve worked hard, and I’ve dreamt of a moment like this for this club. We’ve come close a few times, and this is pretty special.”
READ MORE: Brennan Johnson Gets The Job Done For Tottenham . . . And Is Ready To Do The Same For Wales
Davies also reflected on what it meant to see long-time teammate Heung-Min Son lift the trophy:
“It’s everything we wanted. We’ve been close, we’ve given everything for a long time for this club and this makes it worth every second.”
Davies is out on contract with his club this summer and has been linked with a move away, with newly-promoted Leeds United a possible destination.
But the 93-times-capped Wales star has suggested he would like to stay at in north London.
“The focus now is to make sure we all have a bit of a break and come back. And you have to realise if you want that success again it comes with hard work and grit, the way we had to end up winning those games.
“It was a scrap, there was a lot of pride on the line.
“Someone would say that passion, effort and desire is a skill. I’ve been in plenty of teams with unbelievable players but grit is what sometimes gets you over the line.”
After years of near-misses and frustration, Davies knows exactly what the European victory means—not just to him, but to a club starved of success.
“This is what it’s about. I think the last time I won a trophy I was 19 years old. So, I’ve waited a while. I thought football was easy back then, but realised it can be tough.
“The years of effort, the dedication, the sacrifices with your life, your family—it’s worth it for moments like this.”
READ MORE: Rock Solid Ben Davies Faces Busy Summer With Wales . . . But Uncertain Future At Spurs
