This time next year, Ange Postecoglou expects Tottenham to be in the Premier League title race.

Spurs hit the league summit in November, before a spate of injuries sparked an inconsistent winter period.

The north London club are now 11 points off leaders Liverpool and battling with fourth-placed Aston Villa for the final Champions League qualification spot.

Postecoglou has repeatedly insisted a top-four finish is not his priority this season – he is instead focused on the development and improvement of his young squad.

But asked on Tuesday whether he expected Spurs to be challenging for the title next term, the former Socceroos boss was unequivocal.

“I hope so,” he said.

“Or why am I doing what I’m doing? That’s why I came to the club.

“As somebody said to me last week, ‘Just do your job Ange’. My job is to come here and try to bring success.

“If you don’t think you’re going to be in the title race in 12 months’ time, then I don’t know why I’m here.”

Postecoglou also doubled down on his Champions League qualification claims.

He once more pointed to the examples of Manchester United and Newcastle, who were third and fourth respectively last season, as teams that did not kick on after finishing in the top four.

“It’d probably make my life easier if I said, ‘Let’s make Champions League, that’s great’, because (then) everyone thinks I’ve done a great job,” he said ahead of Tuesday night’s game at West Ham.

“But … I look at the teams who made the Champions League this year and that wasn’t the catalyst for them kicking on.

“It’s not their fault – it’s more demanding. But I’m not going to let this club rest on where we finish this year.

“Where we finish should be a foundation for us being better next year.”