Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino said regular participation in the Champions League would take the club to the “next level” as he prepared for Tuesday’s semifinal first leg at home to Ajax.
Although Spurs have achieved a top three place in the Premier League for three years in a row, they have failed to win a trophy since 2008 and Pochettino faced criticism after eliminations from the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
Asked about the importance of winning silverware, Pochettino said Spurs needed more than one trophy if they were to be considered among the elite.
“I am desperate to win a trophy, whether that is the FA Cup, the League Cup or others, and we have tried in the past five years,” he told a news conference.
“If you ask me to bring the club to the next level like Real Madrid and Barcelona, it’s not about winning just one cup, it’s about being in a competition like the Champions League and being a contender to win it or the Premier League.”
Spurs can guarantee Champions League qualification next season with a win from their two remaining Premier League matches against Bournemouth and Everton.
Pochettino said fatigue had played a part in the first defeat at their new stadium to West Ham but said that should not be a problem against Ajax.
“It’s a game that it is impossible to be tired for. It’s so exciting. It’s all mental,” he said.
“We have a great opportunity to be here playing the semifinal. It is our first time in the Champions League semifinal, and that is why you must show respect for the competition and the opponent because it is going to be tough.”
Tottenham will be missing a number of key players, with Harry Kane, Erik Lamela and Harry Winks absent through injury, while Son Heung-Min is suspended.
Spurs forward Lucas Moura said it would be difficult to replace them but said he was relishing the chance to play.
“Son is a very, very good player and very important for us,” he told reporters. “Of course we will miss him, but we have other players who can do a job. We have a very good squad. Other players will have the opportunity to show what they can do.
“The feeling is unbelievable. This is the dream for me. When I was a child I had it in my head to play in the Champions League and win it. Now I can play in a semifinal.
“I’m very proud of my teammates. We want to go to the final, but we know it will be difficult and we need to work hard.”