Source : the age
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Ange Postecoglou isn’t the only Aussie coach behind this achievement.
Three of his assistants have close ties to us, too.
One, of course, is the former Socceroos skipper Mile Jedinak. But then there’s also Nick Montgomery and Sergio Raimundo, the double-team behind the Central Coast Mariners’ miraculous title win in 2022-23. Montgomery is a naturalised Aussie; Raimundo an honourary one. Today, we’re claiming them all.
What they’ve done will continue to push open doors across the world in coaching for other Australians or A-League products.
Brennan Johnson’s bundled first-half goal helped Tottenham Hotspur win a scrappy Europa League final 1-0 against Manchester United on Wednesday as they cast aside their domestic woes to earn a berth in next year’s Champions League.
It was Spurs’ first silverware since the 2008 League Cup and their first European trophy since 1984, but the fourth time they had beaten United this season.
Tottenham’s Son Heung-min holds up the trophy.Credit: AP
Johnson scored in the 42nd minute when United’s defence crumbled as Pape Sarr swung in a cross while goalkeeper Andre Onana remained rooted to his line. Johnson and United defender Luke Shaw rushed in and the ball appeared to glance off both of them and in, past Onana’s desperate swipe.
The goal was as scrappy as the game in a matchup of teams that have had wildly disappointing Premier League seasons – United are languishing in 16th, ahead of Spurs in 17th.
United’s Rasmus Hojlund had a terrific chance to equalise with a header midway through the second half, but Spurs’ Micky van de Ven leapt for a stunning clearance off the line.
United almost equalised at the death, but Shaw’s header was saved by a diving Guglielmo Vicario.
“This season hasn’t been good at all, but I swear not one of us players right now care about that. This is what it’s all about, this club hasn’t won a trophy for 17 years,” goalscorer Johnson told TNT Sports.
“Honestly, this is what it means. It means so much. All the fans get battered, we get battered, for not winning a trophy, for not winning anything. But we had to get the first one in a while today. I’m so happy.”
As well as ending a painful 17-year trophy drought, Tottenham’s win also offered vindication to embattled manager Ange Postecoglou.
In a season defined by domestic league disappointment, their continental conquest represented a stunning reversal of fortunes.
The victory also rewards Spurs with Champions League qualification for next season, a remarkable achievement for a side sitting just above the Premier League relegation zone after an alarming 21 defeats.
Their triumph may well serve as the crucial lifeline that their 59-year-old Greek-Australian manager needed to cement his future at the club.
For Manchester United, the defeat compounds a season of deep frustration.
Mired near the bottom of the Premier League, the Red Devils now face the prospect of a campaign without European competition, leaving beleaguered coach Ruben Amorim to rebuild at Old Trafford without the draw of European nights.
The final presented a fascinating spectacle: two Premier League underachievers transformed into European contenders and Tottenham proved that European football can provide unexpected redemption.
Amorim’s side will be thoroughly sick of the sight of Tottenham, who extended their unbeaten run against United to seven matches, completing an unprecedented seasonal sweep with four wins in four encounters, a first in their history against the Manchester club.
As jubilant Spurs players and fans celebrated in the balmy evening air of Bilbao, Tottenham’s long-suffering faithful rejoiced as, after 41 years without European silverware and countless near-misses, a weight was lifted from their shoulders.
Reuters
It’s the same again at the Surry Hills Hotel as Spurs lift a trophy.
I’m now drenched in someone’s rum and coke.
Local Spurs fans celebrate in Surry Hills.Credit: Sam Mooy
When was the last time Spurs fans witnessed this?
For some, the 2008 League Cup, but for many who have jumped on board since then, it’s the first time.
Neither are the highest tier, but for the people in this room, that doesn’t matter.
And it brings an all-important tilt at the Champions League next season.
Ange Postecoglou, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, lifts the UEFA Europa League title.Credit: Getty Images
The camera took its time to find Ange Postecoglou as his players took their turns holding up the Europa League title, but he took his moment with joy.
I haven’t seen a beaming smile like that from Ange in months, call it vindication, relief or any other word you like.
An Australian has led a side to a major European trophy and done so with Tottenham Hotspur of all clubs.
This is an amazing moment for Ange, his players and Spurs fans around the world.
Trophies have seemed so far from their grasp as a club and now his team of multinational players are getting their medals, including star midfielder Dejan Kulusevski, who has arguably been their player of the year but is now on crutches after a knee injury.
Son has lifted the trophy, Spurs are Europa League champions and are lapping it up!
Tottenham’s head coach Ange Postecoglou holds up the trophy.Credit: AP
I’m covered in beer, and the sweat and tears of hundreds of Spurs fans.
Tottenham supporters of all ages and nationalities are bouncing off the walls in rapture.
Judging by the chants of “Oh, Ange Postecoglou”, not a soul in Sydney wants to see the Australian coach leave after ending our long, torturous but now joyful journey to a trophy.
Victory.Credit: Sam Mooy
Big Ange Postecoglou.Credit: Getty Images
Just huge. Ange Postecoglou has backed up his words. Another second-season trophy in the bag. In the most remarkable of circumstances.
Wow.
Meanwhile, in Surry Hills:
It’s going off.Credit: Sam Mooy
That’s it.
Game over.
Spurs win.
Ange wins.
Australia wins.
ENORMOUS.
