Tottenham to be given guard of honour by Premier League rivals after Europa League triumph

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Tottenham Hotspur will have a guard of honour from Brighton & Hove Albion as they return to action after their Europa League triumph.

Spurs beat Manchester United 1-0 in Bilbao on Wednesday to end a 17-year trophy drought, thanks to a Brennan Johnson strike just before half-time.

Celebrations have been in full swing for the north Londoners ever since with boozy scenes at their parade on Friday.

And Brighton boss Hurzeler was delighted for opposite number Ange Postecoglou, who has endured a tough season at the helm.

He told reporters: “I think both teams felt a lot of pressure and in the end Tottenham won. They played very mature, they scored one goal and that’s why they deserved to win. Congrats to them.

“I’m happy for (Postecoglou) because he’s a very good guy. He deserves it. He has a lot of pressure and how he deals with it I think he’s a role model for young coaches as well, like me.

“I’m very happy for him. I know that he worked hard for this and what I really like is that he said already in September after a game against Arsenal (that he wins things in his second season).

"He’s a man who can look into the future and that’s something very impressive.”

Manager Ange Postecoglou has already reveals Cristiano Romero and Heung-Min Son are likely absentees along with a host of long-term injured, including James Maddison.

"There will be a couple of absences," he admitted. "Romero has been struggling with his toe for quite a while so we'll leave him out and probably Sonny because his foot has still not healed.

"They've both sort of made a massive effort to get to the final. Bissouma got a knock in the game and he's kind of 50/50 at the moment. The rest of them physically anyway are ok."

Those who do play against Brighton, though, will be honoured by their rivals.

Asked about a guard of honour, Hurzeler added: “Like we did against Liverpool, if great clubs achieve great things then it’s always a positive thing and also if English clubs achieve great things in the international cups.

"I’m very happy for them. Of course they deserve it, so we will do it.”

And they look set to be joined by a host of Tottenham legends too.

After watching out in Bilbao, their former midfielder Micky Hazard confirmed he was set to participate.

He posted on X: "Looking forward to today, looking forward to making the guard of honour for our team, the atmosphere is going to be electric I can’t wait, I’m so excited it’s untrue.

"Let’s celebrate our trophy all together with pride, let’s be one big happy family COYS."

When all is said and done after Sunday's final game of the season, Postecoglou is looking forward to a nice rest.

And he confirmed his plans to the press in his final Premier League pre-match conference of the campaign.

He revealed: "Just family time and finding some quiet spot. Yeah, that’s got some water and a sun lounger and not too much movement, that will do me.

"Just mainly family time and like I said, time to reflect, not just for myself, but, you know, for my wife, for my kids. Just pretty chilled and laid back.

"It's one of those things where you probably don't realise till you're stopped how tired you are, you know, physically and emotionally and I'm sure that'll hit me Monday morning."

His future is yet to be confirmed given concerns about the club's terrible Premier League form that could see them finish 17th, one place above the relegation zone.

But the Australian has insisted it won't be in his thoughts in the coming days.

"Don't worry about that. I'm good at relaxing mate," he said. "Come Monday, I won't have a care in the world. I won't have a care in the world.

"But, I assume I'll have an indication at some point. Only because, you know, there's some serious planning to do more than anything else. I won't have any problem switching off."

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