Ange Postecoglou Delivers On His Promise As Spurs Win the UEFA Europa League

Back in September, Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou stated that he tends to win things in his second season with the club. Then, he doubled down, saying, "I'll correct myself, I don't usually win things, I always win things in my second year." Back then, everyone throughout English football, fans and analysts alike, laughed at the Aussie manager. They aren't laughing anymore.

That's because the former Celtic manager has well and truly delivered on his promise, leading Spurs to the Europa League with a 1-0 victory against Manchester United in Bilbao. The triumph marks the North London outfit's first trophy in 17 years and their first success on the continental stage in over four decades.

And it's a victory made all the more impressive considering the fact that online sports betting site made Ange's men the underdogs for the contest. Heading into this year's Europa League final, a popular sports betting site made United a 1/2 favorite to leave the Basque country with the trophy. Spurs, meanwhile, were a longer-shot outsider, but it was them that got the job done.

 

 

Johnson's Scrappy Goal Enough to Secure the Title

The San Mames showdown was hardly easy on the eye. Between them, the two finalists scored a whopping 62 goals on the road to Bilbao, but they dried up on a warm summer's evening in Spain. The first half was a cagey affair, with neither side really threatening to make the breakthrough. Then, on the stroke of half time, young attacker Brennan Johnson - starting ahead of captain and talisman Son Heung-Min - bundled home from close range after the ball ricocheted off of defender Luke Shaw.

That gave the underdogs a halftime lead, and throughout the second period, it was one-way traffic. Tottenham were happy to turn to the dark arts, attempting to soak up pressure, waste time, and turn the contest into a dogfight. United fell into the trap, and while they had plenty of the ball, they ultimately did very little with it.

The introduction of Alejandro Garnacho did breathe some new life into the Red Devils' title challenge. The Argentinian twice forced solid saves from shot-stopper Guglielmo Vicario. When the Italian goalkeeper made an uncharacteristic mistake - fumbling a cross delivered into the penalty area - defender Micky van de Ven was on hand to clear Rasmus Højlund’s goal-bound header off the goal line.

In the dying embers, United piled forward with numbers, but they were unable to create any clear-cut opportunities. Spurs, too, had their moments, with some last-ditch tackles denying both Son and Dominic Solanke when they were poised to shoot. Deep into injury time, Vicario was on hand once again to save Luke Shaw's bullet header, and that was the last opportunity the Red Devils could muster. After over eight minutes of injury time, the full-time whistle was blown and Spurs - but more importantly, Ange - had done it.

What Happens Next?

All season long, Spurs supporters have clamored for the head of manager Postecoglou. The big Aussie boss has tackled those supporters head-on, somewhat going to war with them. He has also taken on the media left, right, and center, challenging the headlines and narratives that they write, constantly belittling Spurs week after week, year after year.

Ange has certainly stuck to his guns and backed himself, and now we see why. However, there can be no denying that he has just overseen the worst domestic campaign in Tottenham's recent history. Spurs finished just one spot above the relegation zone this season, representing their worst finish in the top flight in over 40 years. He will point to the fact that an injury crisis was to blame, but supporters are unconvinced.

Following this triumph, though, surely Ange has to remain in the job, at least for another season? No one - players, owners, and even fans included - has fought harder to change the narrative surrounding Tottenham Hotspur. He has repeatedly gone to bat for the club, defending them at every turn, even at the expense of turning his own supporters against him purely to instill some kind of belief in his players.

Changing the Narrative

Spurs had become renowned for never getting the job done. Yes, they'd play well, perhaps even becoming embroiled in a title fight or reaching the latter stages of the Champions League, but they would never win anything. Well, this season, there has seemed to be no hope at times, but Ange has somehow delivered a trophy and secured a spot in the Champions League next season.

Tottenham have arguably had a more successful season than archrivals Arsenal, something unfathomable just a few weeks ago. The two North London sides have one of the bitterest rivalries in the world, and while it has been the Gunners that have been the dominant force in the last couple of years, only one of the two has won a trophy this season.

That then surely keeps Ange in the hot seat, at least for now. He has earned the right to lead his side into the Champions League, and he must surely be given another summer to build upon what he has already started. That is providing of course that the maverick Australian boss wants to remain with the club after a rollercoaster of a campaign.