In a historic night at the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Ange Postecoglou led Tottenham Hotspur to a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final on May 21, 2025, ending the club’s 17-year trophy drought. The Australian manager, who became the first from his country to win a major European club competition, has now expressed a fervent desire to remain at the helm and continue transforming the North London club. This triumph, marked by a scrappy 42nd-minute goal from Brennan Johnson, has not only silenced Postecoglou’s critics but also secured Tottenham a coveted spot in next season’s Champions League, offering a lifeline amid a torrid Premier League campaign that sees Spurs languishing in 17th place.
Postecoglou’s journey to this moment has been one of resilience and conviction. Since joining Tottenham in 2023, he has faced intense scrutiny for his high-risk, attacking “Angeball” philosophy, which has led to thrilling football but inconsistent results. This season, Spurs conceded 61 goals in the Premier League while scoring 63, a reflection of the all-out approach that has both dazzled and frustrated fans. Yet, in the Europa League, Postecoglou showed a pragmatic side, abandoning his trademark style for a more defensive, physical approach that saw Tottenham grind out results against teams like AZ Alkmaar, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Bodø/Glimt. The final against Manchester United was no different, with Spurs defending resolutely in the second half to protect their slender lead, a move that drew praise from former Tottenham star Gareth Bale, who called Postecoglou a “legendary manager” for delivering the club’s first silverware since the 2008 Carling Cup.
The victory has been a vindication of Postecoglou’s bold claim last September that he “always wins things in his second season.” Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, he clarified that the statement was not boastful but a reflection of his inner belief. “It wasn’t me boasting. It was a declaration. I had this thing inside me more than anything else,” he said. His track record backs this up: he won trophies in his second seasons with South Melbourne, Brisbane Roar, and Celtic, and led Australia to the 2015 Asian Cup. Now, having added a European trophy to his resume, Postecoglou is determined to stay and build on this success. “I don’t feel like I’ve completed the job. We’re still building,” he told reporters, emphasizing his vision for a team that can sustain success over the next four to six years. “I’d be disappointed if I couldn’t continue,” he added, addressing speculation about his future amid Spurs’ domestic struggles.
The emotional weight of the achievement was evident in Postecoglou’s post-match press conference, where he spoke movingly about his late father and the sacrifices his family, particularly his wife, have made. “This is one for the true believers,” he said, dedicating the win to those who backed his vision despite the criticism. However, the victory has not entirely dispelled doubts about his tenure. Tottenham’s dismal Premier League form, with 21 losses and a potential worst-ever finish since 1977-78, has fueled speculation that chairman Daniel Levy might consider a change. Sources suggest injuries have played a significant role in Spurs’ domestic woes, but Postecoglou’s decision to prioritize the Europa League since January—acknowledged as a strategic gamble—has paid off spectacularly. “I know our league form has been unacceptable, but coming third was not going to change this football club. Winning a trophy would,” he told TNT Sports, a sentiment echoed by goalscorer Johnson, who praised his manager’s trust in the squad.
The win has sparked widespread celebration among Tottenham fans and drawn accolades from the football world. Former Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson noted that Postecoglou “will be having the last laugh tonight,” while ex-midfielder Michael Brown questioned what prompted the tactical shift that secured the trophy. Despite the jubilation, questions linger about whether this triumph will be enough to secure Postecoglou’s position. Some reports indicate his future will be decided in the coming days, with the Europa League success potentially serving as a job-saving lifeline. For now, Postecoglou remains defiant, calling himself a “serial winner” and pointing to chairman Levy’s own words: “We’ve gone for winners in the past, and now we have Ange.”