Tottenham take on Manchester United in the Europa League final this Wednesday in Bilbao, with Ange Postecoglou handed a golden opportunity to fulfil his second-season trophy promise. Victory in Spain would not only secure European silverware but also end Spurs’ 17-year wait for a major trophy — all while salvaging a campaign that could go down as one of their worst-ever in the Premier League.
“I always win trophies in my second season.”
Eight months later, Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou is edging closer to making good on that bold declaration.
His statement followed September’s 1-0 home loss to north London rivals Arsenal — one of a club-record 21 Premier League defeats this season.
Friday’s 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa dropped Tottenham to a dismal 17th in the Premier League table. It marked their 25th loss across all competitions this season — equalling the club’s worst-ever total in a single campaign, set back in 1991/92.Yet, in a strange twist, this season could still be considered a success.
The upcoming Europa League final against Manchester United in Bilbao offers Ange Postecoglou a chance to deliver on his promise of silverware, end Spurs’ 17-year trophy drought, and clinch a spot in next season’s Champions League.
Such a triumph, set against the backdrop of one of the club’s most disappointing league campaigns, would leave Tottenham’s board facing a genuine dilemma over the manager’s future.
Such is the precarious nature of Ange Postecoglou’s position that he could just as easily be cast as a villain as a hero.
Yet, despite the external noise and growing scrutiny, his players have remained united behind him throughout their journey to the Europa League final.
“Everyone in the media doubted us — and the manager — but inside this group, we always believed,” Spurs defender Micky van de Ven told Sky Sports. “We knew the quality we had, and everyone stood by the gaffer. That’s made us a really close-knit team, and hopefully we can end this season in the perfect way — by lifting a trophy.”
Former manager Harry Redknapp believes that winning the Europa League would go a long way in redeeming what has otherwise been a disastrous domestic campaign.
