Tottenham Hotspur are preparing to face Manchester United in the Europa League final, with manager Ange Postecoglou strongly defending his team’s European campaign against critics who have attempted to diminish their achievement.
“It’s going to upset a lot of people isn’t it,” Postecoglou remarked during his press conference. “The debate’s now raging, the latest one is that neither of us will be able to get a trophy if we win, they’re just going to take a team photo because we’re not worthy.”
The Australian coach took aim at those suggesting that Tottenham’s domestic struggles somehow devalue their European run, particularly targeting critics from clubs positioned higher in the Premier League table. “I mean, who cares if we’re struggling in the league? Why is that important? If it’s so easy to get to a final, then why doesn’t everyone who finishes in the top three do it? It’s a separate thing. It’s got nothing to do with league form.”
This Europa League final represents a significant opportunity for both clubs to salvage their seasons. Manchester United, currently languishing in 15th place in the Premier League, have found European competition to be their saving grace under manager Ruben Amorim. They advanced to the final with an emphatic 7-1 aggregate victory over Athletic Bilbao.
For Tottenham, who eliminated Bodo/Glimt in their semi-final, this represents their first European final since 2019 and a chance to win their first major trophy since the League Cup in 2008. The match will take place at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao on May 21.
The winner will not only claim silverware but also secure automatic qualification for next season’s Champions League, adding significant weight to a fixture between two clubs that have underperformed domestically this campaign.
Both managers will be hoping to have their key players available, with Postecoglou likely to rely on Son Heung-min and James Maddison, while United will look to the in-form Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund to continue their impressive European scoring form.
