Former Tottenham captain Hugo Lloris (39, LA FC) praised his former team.
Lloris was Tottenham's goalkeeper from 2012 until he transferred to Los Angeles FC (LA) in Major League Soccer (MLS) in January of last year. From the 2014-2015 season, he served as captain and led the team during its golden era.
Lloris recently mentioned the changes at Tottenham, where he played 447 matches over the past 11 years. Tottenham lifted the championship trophy for the first time in 17 years after defeating Manchester United 1-0 in the UEFA Europa League final held in Bilbao, Spain, last month.
According to ESPN, Lloris said of Tottenham's victory, "I am really happy. It's a happy occasion for the club, everyone at the club, and the players. We really wanted this trophy for a long time. We finally obtained it, and we deserve it."
He added, "This victory will lighten Tottenham's shoulders a bit, and I hope it serves as a foundation to leap forward again. I am no longer a Tottenham player, but I still keep an eye on the club's news and results."
However, Ange Postecoglou, who led to the Europa League victory, was dismissed. The issue was that the team was in 17th place in the Premier League, the worst in the club's history this season. Thomas Frank, who was leading Brentford, has been appointed as his successor.
In response, Lloris noted, "Nothing surprises in football when it comes to decisions. I also find it difficult to make judgments because I am out of the loop regarding the club's internal matters. But if such a decision has been made, it must be that the club has chosen another option for a better future."
He said, "What Postecoglou managed to achieve was truly remarkable. He brought the Europa League trophy and gave great joy and pride to the Tottenham community. We all need to be grateful to him."
Regarding the newly appointed coach Frank, Lloris added, "He is a respected coach who has achieved great results at Brentford. I hope he adapts well to the new environment, and the reason the club chose him is clear. They likely believed it was the best choice for the future."
Regarding the first half of the 2024-2025 season for Tottenham, Lloris commented, "A lot of injuries affected the team’s strength and performance, and it seems we focused everything on winning the Europa League in the second half. In the end, we lifted the trophy, and that alone deserves celebration. It is also another way to qualify for the Champions League."
Finally, he analyzed, "During my playing days, we always aimed for a top-four finish, but as a trade-off, we couldn't win cup competitions. Even if the league ranking is low like now, lifting the trophy would still be an amazing achievement. Ultimately, everything depends on how the club approaches it." Meanwhile, LA FC goalkeeper Lloris will face Chelsea in the group stage of the FIFA Club World Cup on the 17th.
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