Game of his Life Ange Postecoglou

"Something inside me told me that this was going to be my destiny."

In an exclusive interview, football manager Ange Postecoglou sits down with Australian Story to reflect on Tottenham Hotspur's remarkable victory in the Europa League, admitting that it was the "toughest thing I've ever done".

No Australian has previously managed an English Premier League team, let alone won a major European trophy. When the Spurs lifted the Europa League Cup, it broke the club's 17-year trophy drought, made him a hero to fans and solidified his place in the pantheon of the club's greats.

"It took every little ounce of me, every bit of me, to get us over the line," Postecoglou tells Australian Story.

Sports commentator Richard Hinds says Postecoglou has "redefined the possibilities for all Australian coaches. He's stepped into a world that we've always seen as the realm of other, the realm of the great coaches."

Despite the win, Postecoglou has endured a tough two years at the club, facing criticism over the team's poor performance in the Premier League. But the uncompromising Australian has never taken the easy path.

"You put Ange with his back to the ropes, he will come out stronger than ever," childhood friend Nick Deligiannis tells Australian Story.

Drawing on episodes from 2015 and 2017, including interviews with family and friends, we look back over Postecoglou's eventful and at times controversial career – a career he says is far from over.

"In 10 years' time there will be more stories to tell, more trophies to be won and that's how I think about life," he says.

Producers: Jennifer Feller and Lisa McGregor.

Available on ABC iview