Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has praised his team’s mental strength and unity after they secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Manchester United to win the 2025 UEFA Europa League title. The historic win, sealed by a first-half strike from Brennan Johnson, marks Spurs’ first European trophy in over three decades and a defining moment in Postecoglou’s debut season at the helm.
The highly anticipated final, held at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao on Wednesday night, saw Tottenham put in a resolute and tactically disciplined performance to edge out Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United side, who were favourites heading into the clash.
Brennan Johnson the Hero
The only goal of the game came in the 37th minute when Welsh forward Brennan Johnson capitalised on a defensive lapse from United to slot home a precise finish beyond goalkeeper André Onana. The goal ignited celebrations among the Spurs faithful, who had travelled in numbers to the Basque region of Spain.
Despite United’s second-half pressure, Tottenham held firm, with their defensive line and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario producing crucial saves to protect the slender lead until the final whistle.
“This Was Our Moment” – Postecoglou
Speaking to the press after the match, Postecoglou was visibly emotional as he reflected on a challenging but ultimately rewarding season.
“I can’t put it into words, to be honest,” said the Australian tactician. “I know I’m at an amazing football club with amazing supporters who have been through a lot. It’s no secret that this has been a tough year, but over the last few months I’ve just had this inner belief — one focus, one target.”
The 59-year-old continued, “I just felt like this was our moment. To achieve it tonight is massive. This club has carried the tag of being a ‘nearly’ team for far too long. The only way to shake that off is to go out and win something. Tonight, we did exactly that.”
A Season of Setbacks and Resilience
Tottenham’s season has been defined by highs and lows — from a promising start in the Premier League to a dip in form around mid-season, exacerbated by a string of injuries to key players. Despite the adversity, Postecoglou never wavered in his commitment to his philosophy and long-term vision for the club.
“I came here knowing it was going to be a massive challenge,” he admitted. “We had injuries that could have derailed our season completely, but I kept telling myself and the players: I believe we can win something this year.”
That belief translated into performances on the pitch, particularly in the latter stages of the Europa League. Spurs saw off strong opposition in the knockout rounds, including wins over AS Roma and Bayer Leverkusen, before setting up the all-English final clash with United.
Spurs Break the “Nearly Team” Curse
For decades, Tottenham have often been viewed as underachievers — a club with potential that frequently fell short in the biggest moments. Wednesday’s Europa League triumph may signal a turning point in that narrative.
“This is a club with an incredible history and a passionate fan base. They deserve nights like this,” said Postecoglou. “We had one goal in mind, and that was to bring silverware back to North London. I’m proud of the way the players have embraced the challenge.”
Brennan Johnson’s Breakout Moment
The final also marked a career-defining moment for Brennan Johnson, whose goal proved to be the match-winner. The 23-year-old has been gradually finding his form under Postecoglou after joining from Nottingham Forest last season.
“It’s the best feeling in the world,” Johnson said in the post-match mix zone. “To score in a European final and help this club win a trophy is something I’ll never forget. We’ve worked so hard all year, and this is the reward.”
United Left Searching for Answers
For Manchester United, the defeat represents another blow in a season filled with inconsistencies. Despite making it to the final and having spells of dominance, they failed to convert their chances and were punished by a more clinical Tottenham side.
“We didn’t take our opportunities,” said United manager Erik ten Hag. “In games like this, one moment can make the difference, and that’s what happened tonight. Credit to Spurs — they were organized, disciplined, and took their chance well.”
Fans Celebrate Historic Win
In North London, fans poured into the streets in jubilation as the final whistle confirmed their long-awaited European success. Tottenham’s last major European trophy was the UEFA Cup in 1984. This latest triumph puts an end to a 41-year drought on the continental stage.
“I’ve waited my whole life to see this,” said life-long Spurs fan Daniel Osei, who travelled to Bilbao for the match. “We’ve had so many close calls, but tonight we finally got over the line. Ange is a legend already.”
What Next for Spurs?
The victory not only brings silverware but also automatically qualifies Tottenham for the UEFA Champions League next season, regardless of their final position in the Premier League table. With momentum on their side and a young squad growing in confidence, there is a renewed sense of optimism at the club.
Postecoglou, however, is already looking ahead: “This is just the beginning. We’ve shown what we’re capable of. Now we build on this. We want to be in more finals, and we want to keep winning.”
As the celebrations continue, one thing is clear — Tottenham Hotspur’s journey under Ange Postecoglou has taken a significant leap forward, and the future looks brighter than ever.
