In a night that will be etched into Tottenham Hotspur’s history, the Lilywhites ended a 17-year trophy drought with a gritty 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final in Bilbao. The triumph, secured by Brennan Johnson’s first-half strike, marked Tottenham’s first European silverware since their 1984 UEFA Cup win and delivered on manager Ange Postecoglou’s bold pre-season promise to bring glory in his second year at the helm. Amid the jubilation, Manchester City star Jack Grealish, a player once nearly signed by Spurs, took to social media with a cheeky yet heartfelt message for Postecoglou, celebrating the Australian’s achievement while playfully nodding to his audacious prediction. The victory not only silenced doubters but also sparked a wave of reactions from football’s biggest names, underscoring the magnitude of Tottenham’s resurgence on the European stage.
The final at San Mames Stadium was a tense, low-scoring affair, far removed from the swashbuckling “Angeball” that had defined Postecoglou’s early tenure. Tottenham, languishing in 17th in the Premier League after 21 losses, adopted an uncharacteristically pragmatic approach, with just 27.7% possession and a mere three shots—the lowest recorded in a major European final since 2009. Johnson’s goal, initially credited as a Luke Shaw own goal after a deflected cross, came just before halftime, and Spurs defended resolutely thereafter. Micky van de Ven’s acrobatic goal-line clearance against Rasmus Højlund and Guglielmo Vicario’s crucial stoppage-time save from Shaw ensured the clean sheet. “I always win things in my second year. Nothing has changed,” Postecoglou had declared in September, a statement that echoed defiantly as he lifted the trophy, proving his critics wrong after a tumultuous domestic campaign.
Grealish’s message to Postecoglou was both playful and respectful, acknowledging the manager’s knack for delivering under pressure. “I think they’ve been brilliant,” Grealish had said of Spurs earlier in his career, praising Postecoglou’s impact during his Celtic days and his ability to translate that success to the Premier League. The Manchester City winger, whose own future at the Etihad remains uncertain amid transfer speculation, was among a chorus of voices celebrating Tottenham’s triumph. Former Spurs stars Harry Kane and Gareth Bale also chimed in, with Kane offering a succinct “Well done, lads!” and Bale urging chairman Daniel Levy to back Postecoglou, emphasizing the manager’s transformative impact. Mohamed Salah, Liverpool’s talisman, echoed Postecoglou’s bold claim on social media, writing, “He did say he’d win in his second season. Congratulations!”—a nod to the Australian’s unshakeable belief.
Postecoglou’s journey to this moment was fraught with challenges. Injuries to key players like Son Heung-min, Cristian Romero, and Micky van de Ven decimated Spurs’ Premier League campaign, while transfer misses, such as failing to sign Rennes’ young star Desire Doue, compounded their struggles. Yet, Postecoglou’s laser focus on the Europa League, a decision he admitted was “at odds” with some at the club, paid off spectacularly. “I’m a winner. Win is what I do the most,” he said post-match, his voice thick with emotion as he dedicated the victory to his late father, Jim, and his family in Greece and Australia. A pre-match video featuring messages from players’ families, including Vicario’s parents urging the team to “fight for this badge,” galvanized the squad. “We had an emotional video from our families,” Vicario revealed. “It was very emotional, and they played a big part in the game.”
The victory secures Champions League football for Tottenham next season, a financial windfall estimated at £100m that could reshape their transfer plans. Despite their dismal league form, the triumph has shifted the narrative around Postecoglou’s tenure, though questions linger about his future. “My future is assured,” he insisted defiantly before the final, brushing off speculation with characteristic bravado. Son, who came off the bench and danced with a South Korean flag at full-time, was unequivocal in his support, urging Levy to secure Postecoglou’s future. “Even when I watched the video from family members, I was getting emotional,” Son said. “I desperately wanted to win. Not because of me, I just wanted to win for the family.”
For Tottenham fans, the Bilbao night was a cathartic release after years of near-misses and mockery. James Maddison and Sergio Reguilon paraded a banner depicting Postecoglou with sunglasses and the Europa League trophy, captioned with his now-iconic quote. As celebrations spilled into the early hours at Bilbao’s Hotel Carlton, Postecoglou’s emotional speech to players and their families underscored the theme of unity that carried Spurs to glory. While Grealish’s message added a lighthearted touch to the festivities, it was Postecoglou’s steely resolve and tactical adaptability that turned a season of despair into one of unforgettable triumph, cementing his place in Tottenham lore.
# Jack Grealish Hails Ange Postecoglou as Tottenham End Trophy Drought in Europa League Glory
In a night that will be etched into Tottenham Hotspur’s history, the Lilywhites ended a 17-year trophy drought with a gritty 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final in Bilbao. The triumph, secured by Brennan Johnson’s first-half strike, marked Tottenham’s first European silverware since their 1984 UEFA Cup win and delivered on manager Ange Postecoglou’s bold pre-season promise to bring glory in his second year at the helm. Amid the jubilation, Manchester City star Jack Grealish, a player once nearly signed by Spurs, took to social media with a cheeky yet heartfelt message for Postecoglou, celebrating the Australian’s achievement while playfully nodding to his audacious prediction. The victory not only silenced doubters but also sparked a wave of reactions from football’s biggest names, underscoring the magnitude of Tottenham’s resurgence on the European stage.
The final at San Mames Stadium was a tense, low-scoring affair, far removed from the swashbuckling “Angeball” that had defined Postecoglou’s early tenure. Tottenham, languishing in 17th in the Premier League after 21 losses, adopted an uncharacteristically pragmatic approach, with just 27.7% possession and a mere three shots—the lowest recorded in a major European final since 2009. Johnson’s goal, initially credited as a Luke Shaw own goal after a deflected cross, came just before halftime, and Spurs defended resolutely thereafter. Micky van de Ven’s acrobatic goal-line clearance against Rasmus Højlund and Guglielmo Vicario’s crucial stoppage-time save from Shaw ensured the clean sheet. “I always win things in my second year. Nothing has changed,” Postecoglou had declared in September, a statement that echoed defiantly as he lifted the trophy, proving his critics wrong after a tumultuous domestic campaign.
Grealish’s message to Postecoglou was both playful and respectful, acknowledging the manager’s knack for delivering under pressure. “I think they’ve been brilliant,” Grealish had said of Spurs earlier in his career, praising Postecoglou’s impact during his Celtic days and his ability to translate that success to the Premier League. The Manchester City winger, whose own future at the Etihad remains uncertain amid transfer speculation, was among a chorus of voices celebrating Tottenham’s triumph. Former Spurs stars Harry Kane and Gareth Bale also chimed in, with Kane offering a succinct “Well done, lads!” and Bale urging chairman Daniel Levy to back Postecoglou, emphasizing the manager’s transformative impact. Mohamed Salah, Liverpool’s talisman, echoed Postecoglou’s bold claim on social media, writing, “He did say he’d win in his second season. Congratulations!”—a nod to the Australian’s unshakeable belief.
Postecoglou’s journey to this moment was fraught with challenges. Injuries to key players like Son Heung-min, Cristian Romero, and Micky van de Ven decimated Spurs’ Premier League campaign, while transfer misses, such as failing to sign Rennes’ young star Desire Doue, compounded their struggles. Yet, Postecoglou’s laser focus on the Europa League, a decision he admitted was “at odds” with some at the club, paid off spectacularly. “I’m a winner. Win is what I do the most,” he said post-match, his voice thick with emotion as he dedicated the victory to his late father, Jim, and his family in Greece and Australia. A pre-match video featuring messages from players’ families, including Vicario’s parents urging the team to “fight for this badge,” galvanized the squad. “We had an emotional video from our families,” Vicario revealed. “It was very emotional, and they played a big part in the game.”
The victory secures Champions League football for Tottenham next season, a financial windfall estimated at £100m that could reshape their transfer plans. Despite their dismal league form, the triumph has shifted the narrative around Postecoglou’s tenure, though questions linger about his future. “My future is assured,” he insisted defiantly before the final, brushing off speculation with characteristic bravado. Son, who came off the bench and danced with a South Korean flag at full-time, was unequivocal in his support, urging Levy to secure Postecoglou’s future. “Even when I watched the video from family members, I was getting emotional,” Son said. “I desperately wanted to win. Not because of me, I just wanted to win for the family.”
For Tottenham fans, the Bilbao night was a cathartic release after years of near-misses and mockery. James Maddison and Sergio Reguilon paraded a banner depicting Postecoglou with sunglasses and the Europa League trophy, captioned with his now-iconic quote. As celebrations spilled into the early hours at Bilbao’s Hotel Carlton, Postecoglou’s emotional speech to players and their families underscored the theme of unity that carried Spurs to glory. While Grealish’s message added a lighthearted touch to the festivities, it was Postecoglou’s steely resolve and tactical adaptability that turned a season of despair into one of unforgettable triumph, cementing his place in Tottenham lore.
Leave a Reply