"Again we're going to have the debate whether a trophy will take the club to the next level. I don't agree with it. It only builds your ego. The most important thing for Tottenham right now is to always be in the top four."
He added: "It's true, this season has been tough. I told you it would be a massive challenge for us, but we believe it'll be a tough season but no tougher than it's been.
"Of course, disappointed because, after Thursday and today again, out of two competitions. You feel disappointed. You can't feel anything different.
"But now we have to be positive. We are still in two competitions, in a good position in the Premier League and the Champions League is a massive motivation for the whole club. We have to be strong.
"People wish we could win some trophies. But being realistic, we are doing so well. To win a title here in England like the FA Cup or Carabao Cup is about being lucky, not only about quality in your squad.
"To arrive here in different condition, so you can fight or be stronger… Of course, it's tougher to compete and win when things happened as they did.
"Sometimes when you assess football, you only look at which team won and which team lost, but you have to consider all the circumstances.
"Now the realistic targets are trying to be in the top four, try and be close to Emirates Marketing Project and Liverpool and reduce the gap.
"To be a contender is always difficult for us. [Top four] is realistic. Another is to try and beat [Borussia] Dortmund and be in the next round. That is tough."
I seem to be missing the part where he pooh-poohs/dismisses the cups, can someone point it out?
Seems to me, very much, that he is putting the club as a whole into perspective. A cup win doesnt take us to the next level, CL and Premier League riches do - which is absolutely true. A cup win is great for the ego, but not elevating the team to being able to win the league etc. Which is true. And even so, he is really disappointed to go out. Which I dont doubt.
All I see is the man trying to offer some perspective