Lucas Bergvall held Ange Postecoglou like a father. He wrapped his arm around this manager and turned towards him, beaming. On Postecoglou's left shoulder, Bergvall's hand rested for support. They are on the platform ready to lift the Europa League, Tottenham's first piece of competitive silverware for 17 years.
It is Postecoglou who has trusted Bergvall more and more throughout the season, taking him from Premier League newbie to emerging star. This is how the teenager repaid that love and faith.
Postecoglou is not, quite ironically, an arm-around-the-shoulder manager. He can be distant and blunt. This feels in contrast to the rousing speeches he gave to the Spurs players and brutal honesty he showed with the media.
The 59-year-old is so expressive and has such strong uncle vibes that it can be hard to imagine him not giving back to those who he spends so much time with. That is not how he prefers to operate, though.
Bergvall's youthful response is one way the players showed their thanks to Postecoglou. Others had different methods. James Maddison, for example, was there with the banner of his coach. "I don't usually win things, I ALWAYS win things in my second year," it said.
Quoting Postecoglou's now etched in folklore statement to Sky Sports, it is the sort of thing seen on social media rather than by professional players. Postecoglou was edited into a pair of cartoon glasses as he smiled with the Europa League trophy.
This display was clearly made before the final. Pedro Porro's decision to jump on his manager's back, a la Bobby Moore winning the World Cup, as he punched the air in celebration, was quite the image as well. Many will ask where this devotion and outpouring of emotion had been throughout the start of the Premier League season. No matter the results, though, Postecoglou never lost the changing room.
He constantly defended them in press conferences. He took the headlines, shielding his players and staff from the scrutiny. That trust paid off with Spurs always holding a belief that their European season would end in glory even if it meant essentially throwing away league matches in the process.
It was a call by Postecglou, as he rotated the team to keep things fresh for the more important midweek commitments, which paid. Not everyone was on board with it in north London but the players did not waver.
Postecoglou stood by the youngsters as he fielded midfielders Archie Gray and Bergvall in defence. He was staunchly behind Mathys Tel after his loan move, and Guglielmo Vicario was consistently praised for having such a caring soul.
The tactical side to his game, which was daring, entertaining, and brave, may have been widely panned, but Postecoglou's man management cannot be doubted. No matter what happened in this season for Tottenham on the negative side, there was reciprocal support from the pitch to the dugout.
Postecoglou was there to take the daggers and accept blame when it came. Now he has been sacked, Daniel Levy will have questions to answer because the Tottenham players have come out loudly to thank Postecoglou.
The wave of fan dissatisfaction at the decision to move on from Postecoglou was scarcely believable even two months ago. Many will have gone into the final in Bilbao expecting to still be Postecoglou Out with victory only to be turned by the sheer emotion of it.
As mentioned, the players managed to ignore the noise and delivered a strong defensive display. They showed heart and solidity in the run to the final and then more.
It shines through in the way that almost every first-team player has already written about Postecoglou online. Porro was the first to speak out.
"Thank you for everything, boss," he posted on Instagram alongside images of the pair hugging and celebrating throughout the season. "For mentoring me early on, helping me settle into the club, and trusting me out on the pitch. I’ll always be grateful for the way you led us, defended us, and kept us going through all the highs and lows.
"Above everything, you gave us one of the greatest moments in the club’s history and for that, you’ll always be celebrated. Wishing you all the very best, boss [white heart emoji]".
Club captain Son Heung-Min also went before long. He had started to be phased out by Postecoglou after dropping in form and hitting patches of injury, but it did not mean his words were diluted.
"Gaffer," Son started, "You’ve changed the trajectory of this club. You believed in yourself, and us, since day one and never wavered for a second. Even when others did.
"You knew what we were capable of all along. You did it your way. And your way brought this club the best night it’s had in decades. We will have those memories for life.
"You trusted me with the captaincy. One of the highest honours of my career. It’s been an incredible privilege to learn from your leadership up close, I am a better player and a better person because of you."
Notably, Son closed out: "Ange Postecoglou, you are a Tottenham Hotspur legend forever. Thank you, mate. [white heart emoji]"
James Maddison, who was one of the biggest success stories under Postecoglou in the first few months of his tenure, wrote even more. "Gaffer, where to start," he posted on Saturday afternoon, almost a whole day on from the news that Postecoglou was being dismissed.
"Firstly, thank you for bringing me to this wonderful club that I now call my home. Your instant belief in me to not only sign me but make me the clubs vice captain & part of the leadership group from the get go is something I’ll always be thankful for.
"Secondly for the Europa league campaign that started in our stadium on gameweek one and finished perfectly with that special night in Bilbao. You led us to victory and we’re European champions and in this clubs history books because of you and your winning mentality.
"Lastly and most importantly is how you are as a man and a person. Your unwavering self belief and strong mindset is infectious and a massive reason in why you were the man to end this clubs 17 year drought for a trophy.
"A family man with great morales & I have honestly learnt so much from you. More than you will probably ever know. All the very best.
Madders [white heart emoji]".
This is far from the end of the messages. Listed below is a roundup of how the Tottenham players responded on Instagram to the news.
*Editors note: These have been taken directly over from Instagram. The occasional spelling and grammar mistake are as written by the player*
Lucas Bergvall: "Thank you for everything you have done for me. Thank you for bringing this club a European trophy and memories to last a lifetime for us and every Spurs fan around the world. Wishing you all the best [white heart emoji]".
Micky van de Ven: "Gaffer, Thankyou for everything! Believed in me from the first day I arrived at the club. Many ups and downs in the last two years but you kept believing in us and kept pushing us.
"Big part of the success from the club this year, and forever grateful that u made me part of it. All the best [white heart emoji]".
Richarlison: "Mister, massive thanks for helping me out and believing in me during one of the trickiest periods of my carreer and my life. Everyone who loves the Spurs will remember that Big Ange always bags trophies in his second season. We’ve made history! Cheers and good luck on your journey! I’ll always be rooting for you [prayer hands and clapping emojis]".
Guglielmo Vicario: "Boss, I just want to say a massive thank you for everything you have done for me and for all of us. From that very first call, right from the beginning, you always showed so much belief in me.
"Giving me the opportunity to be part of the leadership group… those moments, and many others, will stay with me forever. You are not only a top manager, you are an incredible person to work for, a real leader, a mentor, and someone I’ll always look up to.
"What we achieved TOGETHER will stay in the history books. Wishing you nothing but success as I know you will go on to achieve more and more. Thank you, Boss. Forever grateful, Vic."
Dominic Solanke: "Thank you for bringing me to this wonderful club, thank you for bringing us a wonderful trophy, Won’t ever forget the convo we had before I signed and we achieved a dream! All the best in your next adventure [prayer hands and white heart emojis]".
Brennan Johnson: [Posted to his story] "Thank you for everything gaffer. [white and blue heart emojis]
Destiny Udogie: [Posted to his story] "A lot needs to be said, but I just want to thank you for the work you did and for believing in me over this past 2 years. I wish you the vert best for everything that's coming your way [prayer hands emoji]"
Mikey Moore: [Posted to his story] "Thank you for everything boss [white heart emoji]"
Pape Matar Sarr: "To the boss, thank you for being a part of my journey. You have made me a better player, a better man and most of all you made history with every single one of us. For that, I will always be grateful. Wish you all the best gaffer [prayer hands and white heart emojis]"
Kevin Danso: "Thank you for everything, Gaffer. We’ve accomplished something special [trophy emoji]. Wishing you nothing but the best for your future [prayer hands emoji]".
Archie Gray: [Posted to his story] "Thank you for everything gaffer [white heart emoji]"
Radu Dragusin: [Posted to his story] "Thank you for everything,Gaffer"