New Delhi: Tottenham Hotspur claimed their first piece of silverware in 17 years with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final, thanks to a decisive first-half strike from Brennan Johnson. The win in Bilbao not only marked Spurs’ first European title since 1984 but also secured their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League, potentially earning the club around £100 million in revenue.
Despite their historic triumph, uncertainty surrounds the future of manager Ange Postecoglou. The Australian coach, who guided the team to European glory, faces speculation over his job after Spurs endured their worst domestic season since returning to the English top flight in 1978, finishing 17th in the Premier League.
Still, the victory represents a major psychological breakthrough for the club, which had gone nearly two decades without lifting a trophy, their last coming in the 2008 League Cup. Postecoglou, who has previously won titles with Celtic and Brisbane Roar, acknowledged the emotional significance of the moment.
“Unfortunately, the longer it goes on, the harder it becomes to break that cycle,” said Postecoglou. “Until you take that monkey off your back, you don’t truly understand what it feels like.”
He praised his young squad, emphasizing how valuable the experience of winning would be for their growth. “Now that they’ve felt this, they’ll want it again. And to get it again, they’ll know the level of sacrifice and work it requires,” he added.
Captain Son Heung-min, who endured the heartbreak of Spurs’ 2019 Champions League final loss to Liverpool, was visibly emotional after finally achieving silverware with the club. “I’ve been dreaming about this every night for the past week. I can finally sleep easy,” said the South Korean forward.
The moment was particularly poignant in the shadow of Harry Kane’s departure last summer. The former Spurs striker spent over a decade chasing trophies with the North London club but only found success after moving to Bayern Munich, where he recently won his first league title.
Tottenham’s triumph also sets up a UEFA Super Cup clash later this year, where they will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Inter Milan—finalists in the Champions League—offering another opportunity to add to their silverware.
Despite speculation over his position, Postecoglou remains grounded. “I haven’t had any discussions with the board. Tonight, I’ll head back to the hotel, open a nice bottle of Scotch with my family and friends, and enjoy this moment. There’s a big parade on Friday, and then on Monday, I’m off on holiday with my beautiful family—because I deserve it. Que Sera, Sera.”
Whether or not Postecoglou stays, Spurs’ Europa League triumph may mark the start of a new era for a club long starved of success.
