The stakes are high for under-pressure managers Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou ahead of the Europa League final in Bilbao between Manchester United and Tottenham
Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou have been told that even victory in the Europa League final might not be enough to save their jobs. The two under-pressure managers lead Manchester United and Tottenham in the high stakes match in Bilbao on Wednesday evening knowing the game will define their seasons.
Both teams have endured a miserable season in the Premier League, with United 16th and Spurs 17th, making victory in the Basque Country vital. As well as giving their fans something to cheer, a win would automatically guarantee a place in the 2025/26 Champions League – a significant factor financially and in terms of attracting new players this summer.
Spurs have not lifted a trophy since the League Cup in 2008, while Amorim knows victory would significantly alter the perception of his debut campaign, having failed to make an impact since taking over from Erik ten Hag in November.
It is an intriguing backdrop to the match at the San Mames Stadium, but former Tottenham midfielder Steffen Freund thinks the result may be a moot point. The German believes that, realistically, the decisions of those in power won’t be swayed by 90 minutes.
“I have to answer in a way how the business is,” he told Sky Sports News when asked about Postecoglou losing his job. “I think in the end maybe it doesn’t matter how they play today – the Premier League is the most important for the supporters and both teams are 16th and 17th, which is the worst season for both teams.
“So I think maybe both coaches will go after the game. I don’t like that, but think about Man United: most of the coaches have been sacked – [Louis] van Gaal after an FA Cup win, [Erik] ten Hag after an FA Cup win – so that’s how it is in the football business. And as a coach, I would love to see both coaches keep going.”
There have been widespread reports that Postecoglou could be sacked by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, regardless of whether he comes good on his promise to win silverware in his second season. The Australian was combative in his pre-match press conference, pushing back against a journalist who suggested that he would be perceived as a “clown” if he loses.
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He has tried to play down the importance of the occasion, but Spurs veteran Son Heung-min knows what victory would mean. “It’s going to be a huge, huge moment for both of us and also for the boys if we win it,” the Spurs skipper said.
“As we always say, the first step is going to be really hard, but if you win that trophy, we can change the mentality, we can change the history and hopefully we can continue to compete for another trophy.”