Tottenham fans roast ‘embarrassing’ Europa League podium blunder
There were awkward scenes after Tottenham’s triumph in the Europa League final as fans spotted “embarrassing” scenes on the podium.
The Europa League final couldn’t have gone much better for Tottenham as the club broke a 17-year drought, except for an awkward stuff-up in the post-match ceremony.
In a scrappy all-England final in Spain, Tottenham defeated Manchester United 1-0, with Brennan Johnson’s goal in the 42nd minute proving the difference.
Watch every game of The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.
There were some nervous moments in the second half — Spurs defender Micky van de Ven’s acrobatic clearance off the goal line stopped United from equalising — and Tottenham held on to win their first trophy since 2008.
It’s vindication for Australian manager Ange Postecoglou, who has endured a dire Premier League campaign but delivered on his promise that he “always wins trophies in my second year”.
But there was a slightly awkward moment post-game — as the players lined up to receive their medals, it became evident that UEFA officials didn’t have enough to hand to every Tottenham player.
Some Spurs fans might have been scratching their heads when back-up goalkeepers got a medal around their neck but there were none left Tottenham captain Son Heung-Min and defender Cristian Romero.
But Son didn’t seem too phased as he was congratulated by UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin before collecting the Europa League trophy his teammates on the podium.
Postecoglou stood aside as the team celebrated, before Tottenham’s players gathered around him to soak in the win.
Watch the Europa League medal mishap in the video above
Spurs fans roasted injured midfielder James Maddison, who changed from his slacks and jacket into full playing kit after the fulltime whistle to join in the celebrations, even grabbing a medal before Son.
It was similar antics to John Terry when he was suspsended for Chelsea’s 2012 Champions League win.
Fans took to social media in response to the unfortunate post-match blunder.
One person wrote: “How embarrassing for @EuropaLeague & @UEFAcom running out of winners medals for the last few Spurs players including the captain! You’d think they’d ensure there was a few extra! They’re hardly solid gold!”
A second joked: “Be fuming if you were Son and Romero and the 4th choice keeper has been given a medal over you.”
Another quipped: “There’s something so incredibly Spurs about UEFA running out of medals during the presentation, to the point that our captain and an all-time great lifts the trophy without one around his neck while Timo Werner’s giving it large over his shoulder.”
A fourth added: “ Embarrassing@EuropaLeague not having enough medals for the Spurs team.”
Son is fourth on Tottenham’s all-time goalscoring list and came on as a second half substitute after returning from injury in the Premier League last weekend.
The South Korean striker came up against Postecoglou in the 2015 Asian Cup final but Son and the Aussie manager shared the spoils of victory this time around.
Spurs fans in Bilbao erupted as Son hoisted the trophy high and Tottenham players paid tribute to Postecoglou by parading a banner emblazoned with his iconic prediction that came true.
“I don’t usually win things - I always win things in my second year. Nothing’s changed. I’ve said it now. I don’t say things unless I believe them.”
Ange’s swipe at Spurs boss, Tottenham future up in the air
A big question mark remains over Postecoglou’s future at the club with speculation he could be sacked for the team’s disappointing Premier League campaign despite breaking the club’s trophy drought.
Postecoglou became the first Australian manager to win a major European football title, with the Europa League title also securing Tottenham a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Postecoglou has now won trophies with Tottenham, the Brisbane Roar in the A-League, the Asian Cup with the Socceroos, and league titles with Yokahoma FC in Japan and Celtic in Scotland.
In his post-match press conference, Postecoglou reflected on a comment from Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy when the Aussie was appointed two seasons ago.
“I remember even when I signed, the club and even Daniel sort of said, ‘we went after winners, it didn’t work and now we’ve got Ange’,” Postecoglou said.
“Mate, I’m a winner. I have been a serial-winner my whole career.
“I know people dismiss my achievements because they didn’t happen on this side of the world but for me they’re all hard-earned and all I’ve done my whole career is win things.
“But I understand, look, obviously the way things have gone on in the league people are rightly concerned. I don’t think it’s a true reflection of where we’re at.
“Whatever happens, I’ve said my own sort of belief in what I do doesn’t waver and I’ll continue to push on to do what I do.”
There is persistent speculation the 59-year-old may be sacked by Tottenham after this season amid rumours former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino will return to his old job.
Post-match, Postecoglou indicated his desire to stay in the job at Tottenham. “I don’t feel like I’ve completed the job yet, we’re still building,” he told TNT Sports.
“The moment I accepted the role I had one thing in my head, and that was to win something. More than anything else I had that in my head, and we’ve done that now so I want to build on it.”
Goalscorer Brennan Johnson added of the manager: “He has done his job. He said he wins in the second year and he has, if there’s ever a time for a mic drop, it’s now.
“I can’t thank the manager enough for how much trust he has in us and he has a really good way of getting us up for it.”
Spurs legend Gareth Bale added: “Amazing for the club. It has been a long time coming. Delighted for the club and all the fans. Now Ange goes down as a legendary manager to win a European cup.”
Former Socceroo Craig Foster praised Postecoglou for showing he can adapt to a more conservative style of play as well as an ultra attacking approach that drew criticism throughout the season.
“It was a masterpiece but a masterpiece in a very different way. That’s what’s beautiful about it.
More Coverage
“Ange didn’t need to prove anymore that he can produce wonderful, attacking football. In fact, he almost had to prove the opposite. He has tried to give Spurs a winning mentality.
“He can walk away and say this team knows how to win. They shut down Manchester United. No one really thought United was going to score in those last 30 minutes.”
Tottenham, who sit 17th on the Premier League table but are safe from relegation, play their last game of the season early on Monday morning (AEST) against Brighton.
‘I’m a winner’: Ange’s parting shot at Spurs
Ange Postecoglou is the toast of Australia and the football world after breaking Tottenham’s trophy drought and proving his prediction true.
Football icon hails ‘legendary’ Ange after legacy-sealing win
Ange Postecoglou has made history as the first Australian manager to win a major European trophy, with his Tottenham outfit defying Manchester United in a tense Europa League final.
A-League club hit with breach notices
A-League club Western United has been given two weeks to pay wages and superannuation to its players, or face significant consequences.