Tottenham wins Europa League, Ange Postecoglou’s prophecy comes true

Ange Postecoglou is the toast of Australia and the football world after breaking Tottenham’s trophy drought and proving his prediction true.

Ange Postecoglou was right all along.

Tottenham have defeated Manchester United 1-0 in a scrappy Europa League Final in Bilbao on Thursday morning (AEST) to claim their first trophy since 2008.

Neither Spurs or United were particularly inspiring but a goal in the 42nd minute to Brennan Johnson, which you can watch in the video above, ultimately proved the difference as he poked the ball over the line when United couldn’t clear a ball deep into their box.

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Tottenham did it without their first-choice midfield — James Maddison missed the semi-final and final, and Dejan Kulusevski was ruled out of the decider with injury.

Talismanic Spurs striker Hon Seung-Min only just returned from injury and played half an hour in the second half.

There were some nervy moments in the second half including when Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven produced a goal-line clearance to prevent Man United from scoring in a stunning acrobatic effort you can watch below.

But Postecoglou told us he has a habit of winning trophies and he was right.

The 59-year-old famously declared on the eve of this season: “Usually in my second season I win things.

“I’ll correct myself. 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.”

Tottenham’s players walked around the stadium in Bilbao holding up a banner of Postecoglou with his iconic quote emblazoned across it.

Postecoglou becomes the first Australian manager to win a major European football title.

The Europa League title also secures 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.

Liverpool striker Mo Salah tweeted: “He did say he’d win in his second season. Congratulations!”

Ange just wins things. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Tottenham's players hold up a banner with Postecoglou's famous quote.

Ange’s swipe at Spurs boss, Tottenham future up in the air

It remains to be seen if this victory will be enough to prevent Postecoglou from being sacked following a dire Premier League campaign that has Spurs 17th on the table, one spot clear of relegation.

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.”

But for today, Postecoglou can bask in the glory of a trophy and the fact he proved himself right — he is a winner.

Mark Bosnich said on Stan Sport: “Congratulations to him because it has really been a dark reason and nothing encapsulated it more than yesterday and that pathetic question he was asked.

“For him to come out on top after all that adversity is a wonderful achievement.

“I think it’s the greatest achievement of all time by an Australian coach. To go over there (in Europe you are looked up as having to prove yourself.”

Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min raises the trophy after Spurs defeated Man United. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP)

Tottenham’s 17-year trophy drought is over. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP)

Craig Foster added: “It was a masterpiece but a masterpiece in a very different way. That’s what’s beautiful about it.

“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.”

Recap all the big moments and the fallout in the blog below.

Originally published as Tottenham wins Europa League, Ange Postecoglou’s prophecy comes true