Ange Postecoglou has the chance to end Tottenham’s 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League final against Manchester United on Wednesday. Such a victory would not only break the long-standing silverware curse but also secure Spurs a place in next season’s Champions League—a critical boost for a club desperate for success. However, even triumph in Bilbao may not guarantee Postecoglou’s job security.
Tottenham have not won a major trophy since their 2008 League Cup triumph over Chelsea, and their last European success dates back to the 1984 UEFA Cup. Yet, the club’s disastrous Premier League campaign under Postecoglou has cast a shadow over the final, leaving the Australian manager’s future hanging by a thread regardless of the result.
Chairman Daniel Levy, known for his ruthlessness with managers, has already been linked with several replacements, including Brentford’s Thomas Frank, Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner, and Fulham’s Marco Silva. Postecoglou’s bold claim last September that he “always win things” in his second season has ironically come to define what has been a turbulent and disappointing year.
While Postecoglou boasts successful second seasons at clubs like Celtic, Yokohama F-Marinos, Brisbane Roar, and South Melbourne, those achievements came outside the intense scrutiny of English football’s high-pressure environment. Tottenham, a club infamous for self-inflicted setbacks—popularly dubbed “Spursy”—has struggled to shake its reputation under his leadership.
Despite a promising start, Tottenham’s inability to avoid critical errors has persisted. They lost out on Champions League qualification late last season, and Postecoglou’s attacking style, initially praised, soon exposed defensive vulnerabilities that opponents have ruthlessly exploited.
The frustration boiled over in April during a 1-0 loss to Chelsea, where Postecoglou’s sarcastic celebration of a disallowed equaliser revealed his mounting pressure. Tottenham’s 21 Premier League defeats this season mark their worst tally since the early 1990s, and with the team sitting 17th heading into the final game, the club faces its poorest league finish since relegation in 1977.
Yet, amidst the chaos domestically, Postecoglou has guided Spurs close to European glory, navigating challenging knockout ties against AZ Alkmaar, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Bodo/Glimt. Still, the Australian manager has acknowledged the widespread belief that he will be sacked regardless of Europa League success.
Injuries have ravaged Tottenham’s squad all season, with key players like James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Lucas Bergvall ruled out of the final. Postecoglou has praised his team’s resilience in the face of adversity, and midfielder Yves Bissouma has highlighted the manager’s protective leadership and strong mentality.
Ultimately, whether this faith and a potential Europa League trophy can save Postecoglou’s job remains uncertain. The stakes are high—not just for silverware, but for the future direction of Tottenham Hotspur.
