Ange Postecoglou has led Tottenham to the Europa League final but his position in charge remains uncertain. Reports have already surfaced in the past month that he will lose his job regardless of the outcome.
Beating Manchester United in Bilbao in under two weeks would get Spurs back into the Champions League despite a potential 17th place finish in the Premier League. United are in the same position as they sit 15th with only 39 points from 35 matches.
Regardless of the horrendous domestic season, Tottenham are one game away from lifting silverware for the first time since 2008. This would put Postecoglou into the history books for the good after an unprecedented modern drop-off in the league.
Whether or not the European glory alone should be enough to save Postecoglou is a debate that continues to rage on. He has rallied against the narrative surrounding him all year and once more hit out in the media on Thursday night.
After a 2-0 away win at Bodo/Glimt (securing a comprehensive 5-1 aggregate victory), Postecoglou once more took a defiant stance. "But whatโs happening now is people are fearing that [Tottenham and I might win the Europa League]," he said. "That it actually might happen and let's see how we can tear it down somehow and diminish it somehow by saying it's been a poor season and we don't deserve this or we don't deserve that."
His response has continued to divide the fanbase with some watching his passionate post-match speech in the changing room and seeing reason to stick with Postecoglou and others being frustrated at his demeanour in front of the press. Here, football.london writers offer their verdict on how much, if at all, the Europa League could change the outcome for Postecoglou at the end of the season.
Tom Coley
It is interesting that Tottenham play Manchester United in the final because they are the best recent example of thinking and reacting emotionally to knockout success. By sticking with Erik ten Hag after his FA Cup win at the end of last season they wasted six months and millions of pounds.
Spurs can't afford to make the same mistake. If it comes down to one match deciding a manager's future then really it is already too late. Would winning the Europa League really offer much confidence that Postecoglou can turn around such poor league form? Other than the good vibes in the moment, the answer is surely no.
Tottenham need to be more sensible than United. Postecoglou may have a rousing final few speeches and plenty of stomach left for the fight but once things have gotten as far as weighing up replacements then things are already past the point of return.
If Tottenham win the Europa League it will be a great day and one to remember. Postecoglou can, will, and should enjoy it. But the bigger picture is the direction of travel Tottenham want to be in and there has been such little about this season that suggests Postecoglou warrants overseeing it.
Jack Flintham
As Coley mentions above, United acted poorly when they decided to extend Ten Hag's stay after FA Cup final success. He was gone by Halloween and Sir Jim Ratcliffe has since gone on record to say that he was wrong to keep the Dutchman at the club.
Where I think the scenarios differ between Spurs and United is that the Manchester club were in disarray in the boardroom after the FA Cup final. They did not have their ducks in a row and while Tottenham are by no means stable, they should at least have the decision-makers in place to make an educated decision on Postecoglou's future.
Personally, I think it suits everyone for Postecoglou to leave at the end of this season regardless of the result in Bilbao. His post-match interview tantrum on Thursday night showed to me that he is no longer enjoying the pressure and the scrutiny of managing Tottenham.
If they win the Europa League, Postecoglou will be more than happy to leave as he kept his promise of delivering a trophy in his second season and shall probably land on his feet in another top job. Should Spurs lose, there is no excuse not to sack him after what has been a poor campaign on the whole.
Some may say that is harsh having led Tottenham to a European final but the club needs to end this mentality that runners-up is good enough. Daniel Levy can send a real message by showing that simply getting to the showcase finale is not enough.
Sam Truelove
I like Ange Postecoglou. The Tottenham boss has been extremely unlucky with injuries this season and that needs to be taken into consideration. That's perhaps not an excuse for the terrible form shown in the Premier League but it is a major factor.
If the Australian does win the Europa League with Spurs I would keep him at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The feel good factor around the club would be immense and, with a good summer of transfer activity, the club could really push on. Champions League football would return and the 2025/26 season would probably be a thrilling one.
Lose to Manchester United, however, and his time at Tottenham is probably up. It really is do or die but I hope for Postecoglou's sake he is the one lifting the Europa League trophy above his head come May 21.
Joe Doyle
I think Ange Postecoglou is realistically leaving Tottenham at the end of the season. If he does win the Europa League then it certainly helps his argument to stay at the club, and maybe he would deserve another shot at a campaign.
But the Premier League form has been unforgiveable this year. The only real issue I would have with sacking him (other than the fact that he has been a breath of fresh air in the Premier League) is - who comes in to replace him? You would assume the club have done their due diligence already, but can they get their No.1 target in? Or will they be going further down the list in a bid to replace the Australian?
I don't necessarily think the grass will be greener if they decide to sack Postecoglou; the Spurs squad have massively underperformed this year, but would they automatically improve under another boss while adapting to a new style of play? Possibly. Possibly not.