The Mirror

Ange Postecoglou deserves to go out with his head held high no matter what happens in Bilbao. Big Ange has shown so much dignity amid the backdrop of an unforgettable season for Tottenham fans. And that is the point. Football should be about glory, trophies and memories.

If Tottenham win the Europa League, it will be their first piece of silverware in 17 years. That is what we will remember. It has been a rollercoaster season. For Tottenham to lose 21 games in a Premier League campaign is just unthinkable.

But if Postecoglou delivers on his promise - and how people laughed and mocked him - of always winning a trophy in his second season, then he deserves to ride into the sunset with the biggest smile, a winner’s medal and an “I Told You So” T-shirt.

I’ve seen a lot of Tottenham over the last few years. And Postecoglou’s reign has been more memorable, more enjoyable and more dramatic than his three main predecessors put together.

Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte were instantly forgettable. Bad fits. None of them worked. The football was dreadful and no-one shed any tears when they left.

We will not forget Postecoglou. And that is why it would be so good to see him win a trophy. Yes, Manchester United need the Europa League, too. But they need it for Champions League qualification. That is more important to them.

Tottenham want the silverware. That is what matters. Yes, the Champions League qualification would be massive. But it would be a huge financial bonus rather than the main target of Wednesday’s final in Bilbao.

It is the most ridiculous argument to say they should not qualify because they are in 16th and 17th place respectively in the Premier League. The rules are very clear at the start of the season and do not change just to fit a narrative.

The Champions League qualification is vital because otherwise clubs would not take the Europa League so seriously. It keeps clubs interested. That is why UEFA have done it.

But it is more for Tottenham. We can all laugh and mock but the club’s motto is To Dare Is To Do and it’s all about the glory of the game. We should champion that. Even now, so many Tottenham supporters like Big Ange. There is not a debate to be had about him staying. If you cannot see the writing is on the wall then more fool you.

What would be the point of getting into the Champions League and then sticking with a manager who has just not been able to get results this season? Manchester United tried it with Erik ten Hag after winning the FA Cup and look how that went.

But we can still enjoy the ride. The first six months of his reign - when Tottenham briefly topped the table - were unforgettable. Brilliant football, kamikaze defending and amazing entertainment.

They have smashed Manchester City and Manchester United away from home. It is incredible to think those wins were THIS SEASON. But injuries kicked in. And a lack of depth in the squad.

I’m torn. On the one hand, Tottenham have spent big in the market. On the other hand, have they bought enough quality? Postecoglou has also been fearlessly naive with his tactics and formations.

But I can’t deny that he has sucked me in. He reads every word that is written about him. It’s self indulgent, but he seems to like newspapers more than radio and TV. He engages with us more and we like him.

And if he wins a trophy - something not even Mauricio Pochettino could do - then he deserves to walk into another job. And that club will be lucky to have him.

It has been one hell of a ride for Postecoglou at Tottenham. An unforgettable one. But an enjoyable one and one which deserves to end in glory.

Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United will meet in Wednesday's Europa League final and one of the likely starters has explained his unconventional shirt number choice

Tottenham Hotspur star Micky van de Ven has explained why he wears the number 37 on his back. He wore five at previous club Wolfsburg but made the switch upon moving to North London in 2023.

The Dutch international will be crucial to Ange Postecoglou's team as they aim to silence Manchester United and win Wednesday's Europa League final. And, ahead of the game, he explained the poignant reason behind his choice of number.

"When I was 15 years old, my best friend Dimitri passed away," Van de Ven said when asked about the matter by GQ. "He was really sick and I always promised to make him proud.

"He was the person I always played football with so the day before he passed away, I promised him I was going to make sure I became a professional football player. When I made this beautiful transfer to Tottenham Hotspur, they said, 'These are the numbers you can pick for your shirt.'

"Number 37 was there. It was [Dimitri’s] favourite number when he was younger, so straight away I knew 37 had to be my number here."

Van de Ven has had a tough time with injuries since joining Tottenham, but manager Ange Postecoglou has managed the defender's minutes since welcoming him back in march after hamstring and thigh problems. He has played just three Premier League games since then, with Postecoglou on getting his best team in place for the European run.

This has left the former Wolfsburg star playing more minutes in the Europa League than in the Premier League in 2025. He started both legs of the quarter-finals and semi-finals, with Spurs beating Eintracht Frankfurt and Bodo/Glimt to book their place in Wednesday's final in Bilbao.

Postecoglou is without a number of other first-teamers for the final, with Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall all expected to be unavailable. There were a couple more injury scares in Friday's defeat at Aston Villa, but the manager played down fears of too many more missing men.

"[Pape Sarr] felt something in his back and took him off as a precaution," Postecoglou told Sky Sports. "Not too significant and Mikey [Moore] was OK but was just fatigued.

"He [Son Heung-min] is ready and available. They all are ready to start. It was important tonight and he feels like he is getting back to some rhythm."

Opponents Manchester United also have some players on the sidelines, with long-term injury victim Lisandro Martinez chief among them. However, Ruben Amorim joined opposite number Postecoglou in indicating those who played for his side in their last league match were able to come through the game unscathed.

Ange Postecoglou retains the full support of his Tottenham players ahead of the Europa League final against Manchester United, according to defenders Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie

Tottenham stars believe Ange Postecoglou has already done enough to silence his critics by steering them to Bilbao. And defensive duo Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie have stressed that the dressing room remains fully committed to the Australian’s methods.

Under fire Postecoglou is widely expected to leave the club this summer following a shambolic domestic campaign in which they have lost 21 of 37 league games.

But Dutch centre back Van de Ven said: “We’ve all been standing behind the gaffer since day one, since he joined here. He’s shown his quality, he’s brought us to a European final.

“Of course he’s getting a lot of doubt from the media and we see these things. But I think he has proved all you guys wrong and we’re standing in a European final.

"Hopefully we can lift the trophy. Not only for us, but also for him.”

Postecoglou has already told his team that victory tomorrow night will be “a turning point in terms of the way the club is perceived but also more how it perceives itself.”

And Italy left back Udogie, who has recently been linked with Manchester City, added: “Hundred per cent, all the players are with the manager. He always transmits a lot of passion and determination to go out there and play for him.”

Spurs will be without three key midfielders for the game with Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall all ruled out through injury.

But Postecoglou is urging his players to embrace their chance to change the club's trajectory despite their issues at home.

"When you look at the historical backdrop of this club and what it’s been through in the last 20-odd years, I feel like it could be a turning point in terms of the way the club is perceived but also more how it perceives itself which I think is the biggest thing," he said..

“I often say to the players that at the end of your careers, what you want to be able to do is go back to the clubs you served and know you’ve made an impact."

Amad has suffered Europa League final misery twice before and is determined to make it third time lucky on Wednesday when Man Utd take on Tottenham in £100m Bilbao clash

Amad is determined to make it third time lucky by lifting the Europa League trophy with Manchester United on Wednesday night. Twice Amad has played in the Europa League final, once with United and also when on loan at Rangers, both occasions ending up on the losing side.

Amad was part of the United squad that lost on penalties to Villarreal in the 2021 final and was a runner-up again the following season when Rangers were beaten by Eintracht Frankfurt, again in a shoot-out.

The winger watched both defeats from the bench, as an unused substitute, but is hoping to force his way into Ruben Amorim's starting line-up to face Tottenham after returning from a potentially season-ending injury.

And Ivory Coast international Amad is praying his luck changes and he can help inspire United to victory over Spurs and with it a place in next season's Champions League Worth £100million. "Yes, I already lost two Europa League finals, so I hope to win this one,” said Amad.

"I keep praying for that one. It will be really good for me, but also for the team, because at the end of the day, we want some things at the end of the season.

"I was on the bench before. I was young. I had no experience, but it was a good experience for me to be in my first Europa League final with the team. At the time, we had great players like Paul Pogba and Edison Cavani. It was a dream for me, honestly.

"But now it's my moment. It's the moment for the club, it's the moment for the players, for everyone, for the fans, because they deserve this moment. We will give everything, we will give our best to try and win this competition."

The showdown between United and Spurs is the biggest in the recent history of both clubs, considering there is so much at stake.

Amad was one of the few United players to emerge from this shambolic season with credit, before suffering a serious ankle injury in February which was expected to keep him out of the rest of the season.

But after three months out, he has returned to action for a season-defining game for United and one which is certain to have a huge bearing on Amorim's future.

Now he is back, Amad, 22, who scored twice late on as United beat Manchester City 2-1 away earlier this season, is determined to start in Bilbao and show his enduring worth.

"It's a really good feeling to be back on the team, to try to help the team try to win something at the end of the season,” said Amad, who suffered his recent injury in training.

"I was pressing Andre Onana, then I think my left foot stayed on the grass and turned. In that moment I knew it wasn't really good, because I knew I'd miss some games.

"I didn't know if my season was really over. So after my operation, I kept believing, I kept praying to be back before the end of the season. I'm always positive, I'm always smiling. That's me, that's Amad, so I always try to grow up with positive things.

"I believe in my potential. I believe I can be one of the best in the world. I just have to give my best every game. That's it. But I think I believe in my potential.

"I think the manager believes in me, too. He believes in my potential. I'm trying to repay his confidence every time I'm on the pitch."

Tottenham could sack Ange Postecoglou regardless of Wednesday's Europa League outcome and had eyed Ajax boss Francesco Farioli, who has just announced his departure from the Dutch club

Tottenham are eyeing Francesco Farioli as Ange Postecoglou's replacement and could get a free run at the Italian after his exit from Ajax. The 36-year-old has just announced his departure after missing out on the Dutch title.

Postecoglou faces an uncertain future and could have just two more games in charge of the north Londoners. He could yet leave in a blaze of glory with the club in the Europa League final on Wednesday before their final Premier League game on Sunday.

Victory in midweek in Bilbao will see Tottenham land a return to the Champions League, but the Australian could soon be out of a job amid reports the Tottenham hierarchy have decided to move him on regardless of how this next week pans out.

Farioli has been eyed as a replacement, report the The Sun. His compatriot Fabio Paratici is set to return following his ban from the game and is a fan. Farioli took charge of Ajax at the start of this season having previously managed French side Nice and Turkish team Alanyaspor.

He remains in the frame despite an horrific final month in charge in Amsterdam. Ajax had led the Dutch league by nine points with seven games to go, but a poor set of results in the run-in allowed rivals PSV to claim the title. Farioli oversaw a run of one win in five to miss out on league glory.

Just days later and Farioli has confirmed his exit from the European giants. He became the first Italian to coach the Dutch side but claimed his timeframe and methods did not align with the Ajax hierarchy and he made the decision to step away.

He said: "The management and I have the same goals for the future of Ajax, but we have different visions and timeframes about the way we should work and operate to achieve those goals. Given these differences in the principles and foundations of the project, I feel deep in my heart that this is the best moment to part ways."

Tottenham will now consider him should they make a change in the dugout. Daniel Levy has never been shy to make managerial changes and European glory may not save Postecoglou from the club's worst Premier League season in two decades.

The north Londoners currently sit 17th having lost for the 21st time on Friday night against Aston Villa. Not since 1977 have Tottenham suffered that many defeats in a season - and they could exceed that on the final day when they host Brighton.

Manchester United will face Tottenham in Wednesday's Europa League final but a number of players could be missing through injury as Ange Postecoglou sweats on Pape Matar Sarr

The Europa League final could be missing up to 13 players with both Manchester United and Tottenham juggling some serious injury woes. The victor will land themselves a spot in next season's Champions League, but selection may prove difficult.

Ange Postecoglou knows he will definitely be without James Maddison. The playmaker scored in the semi-final victory that landed Tottenham their place in Bilbao. He was also on target when the north Londoners beat United earlier this season, but he'll miss out through with a knee issue.

Dejan Kulusevski is another major absentee for Tottenham - his injury was confirmed recently and will deprive Postecoglou of one of his major attacking weapons. Radu Dragusin and Lucas Bergvall are also sidelined, as is loanee Timo Werner. Dane Scarlett, who has only just begun featuring in the first-team, is also denied the chance of playing in the final.

Ruben Amorim's two major misses have long been on the casualty list. Lisandro Martinez's knee issue has sidelined him for a lengthy period whilst a thigh problem has kept Joshua Zirkzee out.

Beyond that the United both is sweating on several issues in his backline. Matthijs De Ligt is struggling with a knee and Leny Yoro hobbled off in the loss to West Ham eight days ago. Amorim said on the defensive pair: "I don't know if they're going to be available, we'll try to push, it's a final, all the players want to play really bad."

Diogo Dalot's calf needs to be monitored but the defender said "so far so good" whilst Jonny Evans, albeit way down the pecking order, wasn't in the squad that headed to Chelsea on Friday.

Tottenham are hoping for some good news regarding Pape Matar Sarr, who walked down the tunnel with medical staff against Aston Villa on Friday. "Pape felt something in his back, so we took him off as a bit of a precaution," Postecoglou said afterwards. "I don’t think it’s anything too significant, speaking to him afterwards but he just felt something in his back.”

Tottenham have already beaten the Manchester outfit on three occasions this season - twice in the league and once in the Carabao Cup. However they are looking to end a trophy drought that dates back to 2008 and has hung over the club throughout that time.

United meanwhile have continued to be dire in the Premier League and have lost six of their last eight games. Amorim can restore some pride with victory on Wednesday night, but has already claimed his side are "not ready" to be competitive domestically and in the Champions League.

Tottenham star says Ruben Amorim is driving force behind his career - 'He's magnificent'

Pedro Porro spent three years being coached by Ruben Amorim at Sporting Lisbon with Manchester United head coach once describing relationship with Spurs defender as "more than a professional one"

Pedro Porro has hailed “magnificent” Ruben Amorim for his human touch after crediting the Manchester United boss’ role in helping his career “explode.”

Spurs full-back Porro is hoping to heap more misery on his former coach in Wednesday’s Europa League showdown – but he will never forget the care and attention shown to him at Sporting Lisbon.

Amorim spent three years developing Porro at the Portuguese club and has previously said his relationship with the Spain international was “more than a professional one.”

And while Amorim has struggled to get to grips with life at Old Trafford, Porro still thinks the father-like figure is among the best around.

“He's a magnificent coach,” Porro said. “I know him very well. It’s the way he treats the players. He always spoke to me as a person, it’s not just how he treated me from a football perspective. The way he works on the pitch is also very good but in this case I hope I’m the happy one.

“When I arrived (at Sporting), it was a little bit difficult for me. But like everything in football, sometimes it’s hard at first right?

“Things in life don't always go the way you want them to but when I got there the truth is I had a lot of help from him and at that moment my football exploded. I'm really grateful to him for that.”

Gratitude may be in short supply should United deny Spurs a first trophy in 17 years. Both teams travel to northern Spain approaching the end of diabolical domestic campaigns. Spurs’ defeat at Aston Villa on Friday was their 21st in the league, leaving head coach Ange Postecoglou on the brink irrespective of this week’s outcome.

But Porro has no issue separating their travails at home with their steady, professional approach in Europe. “The truth is we have very good feelings,” he said.

“Ignoring the Premier League, we are feeling good. The job the team has done in Europe has been enormous and I think we feel we’re in a good place. Those feelings have to carry over to the day of the final now.

“We have to forget everything else because we've worked very hard to get to this final. It’s very difficult to get to where we are in this Europa League and it’s where we want to be.”

United are in a similar state, though with one fewer win and three fewer defeats in the league. And Porro added: “Well, I don't think they've lost in the Europa League. They're a very good team, with a very good coach no? In the end they haven’t had the luck in the Premier League, it's like us isn't it?

“But we're two teams that know how to deliver and it’s going to be a very beautiful final. I hope we’re the happy ones at the end.”

Yves Bissouma is hoping to repay the faith shown by Ange Postecoglou when Tottenham take on Manchester United in season-defining Europa League final on Wednesday night

Yves Bissouma insists Ange Postecoglou deserves heaps of praise for absorbing so much criticism to protect his players. And the midfielder hopes injury-hit Spurs can repay the faith of “Uncle Ange” by delivering a first trophy in 17 years by defeating Manchester United in Wednesday’s Europa League final.

Bissouma has drifted in and out of Postecoglou’s strongest XI during a season that he admits “has been hard for me personally” but the absences of Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall means he is close to a dead cert to start in Bilbao.

Postecoglou goes into the game knowing that even a win might not keep him in position for next season because of their nightmare league campaign, though it has been severely impacted by an injury crisis he previously described as “unprecedented.”

But Bissouma is full of thanks for the Australian because he has taken the blows for the players when their performances have fallen below expectations.

“He’s always protecting us,” Bissouma said. “Every game, when we lose or win. He’s got a top mentality. He understands football. He knows it’s up and down. He never blames players. To have a coach like him is something.

“At the same time, with him, we are working hard. We want to improve every game and every training because it’s really important for us and the club. We’re all here for the club, for the same reason. It’s necessary to be together.”

Bissouma began the season serving a club suspension because of a video posted on social media in which he appeared to inhale laughing gas. And while he politely says he does not feel ready to discuss that topic, he insists his relationship with Postecoglou has not changed since they first started working together.

“He’s like a dad or uncle for us,” Bissouma adds. “He’s always trying to make us understand what he really wants. For us, he’s Ange, he’s him. He’s got his idea. He’s trying to help us every time. It’s not easy (the style of play), especially at the start.”

Bissouma admits spending a lot of time as a substitute has been tough to get used to but his commitment and readiness has never dropped.

“The most important thing is if the team does good,” he adds. “I’m here to work and when my time comes, I play. As a professional, you have to be ready. You have to understand it’s not just yourself – you are part of a group. You can’t control things sometimes.

“The only thing I know is, you have to work hard and never give up and be ready when your team needs you. That’s what I’m always trying to do. In the hard moments, you have to be strong because it’s not easy.”

Last month Postecoglou took the Malian aside – before the injuries to Maddison, Bergvall and Kulusevski – to say that he would be needed to make a big impact before the campaign is out.

And having played every minute of the semi-final against Bodo/Glimt – which he describes as the best night of his life – nothing but his best will be required to defeat United.

“We know what we have to do. We have to win this cup,” he adds, but looking forward he wants Spurs fans to know there is so much more to come. “Of course there is. I’m still learning.”

Jermain Defoe claims former club Tottenham need to exploit some of the irresistible talent currently embedded within their academy ranks

Jermain Defoe has urged former club Tottenham to unleash five exciting youth talents. The 42-year-old, who left his Spurs academy coaching role last summer, believes there are a number of prospects that have what it takes to break into Ange Postecoglou's side next season.

He said: "I was so lucky when I was coming through at West Ham in the academy, Harry [Redknapp] was bringing players through and developing them. But Spurs have got Mikey Moore, Damola Ajayi who recently played in the Europa League and scored [vs Elfsborg], and there's another kid called Tyrese Hall.

"He has so much potential, he's unbelievable and is one of the best I've seen. In my two years at Tottenham, all of the teams that we played against around the country, he was definitely one of the best, in fact, he's a Premier League footballer.

"You've got Callum Olusesi who has been in and around the first-team, on the bench, and Will Lankshear so there are so many players in the academy that next season, they should be looking to break through. Hopefully the club will give them an opportunity."

Former England striker Defoe was speaking to Sunday Mirror off the back of the recent Emirates 5s, a 5-a-side tournament created to celebrate the airline’s sponsorship of the Emirates FA Cup.

Held at St. George’s Park, four legends – Defoe, Shola Ameobi, Ben Foster, and Shaun Wright-Phillips each captained a team starring influencers, non-league players and individuals making a positive change in their local communities as they represented Emirates flight hubs in London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Newcastle and battled it out on the pitch to be crowned champions.

He was delighted to return to the pitch after calling time on his playing career back in 2022, explaining: "It's such a good concept and was nice to get my boots on again but it's never friendly once the whistle goes!

"It was nice to get the phone call, I've not seen Shola for years and of course, I'm friends with Shaun and Ben Foster is always in and around London so it was nice to see the boys again.

"I was surprised by the pitch side, when the pitch is smaller sometimes you think it's less running but it was man-for-man. I thought we were unlucky, it was just a semi-final and a final but when we got knocked out, I saw Newcastle play and I knew they'd win it.

"I respect anyone that goes out there and plays football because it's pressure, I remember when I first started coming through, I played for my district and Sunday League team but it was just nice to be amongst it and amongst the players that play Non-League but we still have the same love for the game. It means a lot to me."

Arsenal are expected to find themselves busy during the summer transfer window but the fate of one of their players continues to hang on the balance as the season nears its end

Fabio Vieira's Arsenal future continues to hang in the balance after a season out on loan. The Portugal international had been due to return to North London after a year back at old club Porto, but that no longer looks as certain as it once did.

The spanner in the works comes courtesy of none other than Andre Villas-Boas. The former Tottenham Hotspur boss has been Porto's president since 2024, and appears to be a big fan of Vieira.

Vieira, who joined Arsenal from Porto for around £30million back in 2022, has scored five times in 38 appearances during his current loan. He was expected to play in the upcoming Club World Cup before returning to his parent club.

According to Jornal de Noticias (via Sport Witness), though, he could yet stay put. The Portuguese outlet claims Villas-Boas is spearheading negotiations, which could lead to an extension of his loan or even a permanent move back to the Dragao.

Porto will begin their Club World Cup campaign against Palmeiras on June 15, followed by group games against Al Ahly and Inter Miami. Clubs involved in the competition are allowed to extend contracts of players whose deals are otherwise due to expire on Jun 30 in order to allow them to play in the tournament, which runs until mid-July.

Vieira struggled to adapt to English football in his first Arsenal season but showed signs of improvement early last term. Groin surgery derailed his campaign, though, and he struggled for minutes after Christmas with just three league outings.

He has played in the majority of Porto's league games, though they will have to settle for Europa League football next term after sitting a distant third behind Sporting and Benfica. He also featured in all but one of their European games this term, including a cameo from the bench against Manchester United.

“The idea of returning came from me," Vieira said back in September when asked about his loan switch. "I love this club and I’m going to give everything on the pitch.”

With Ethan Nwaneri stepping up to become part of the first team picture in North London, Vieira may feel as though he's unlikely to get too many opportunities in the Premier League next term. His Gunners contract runs until 2027, though, and a permanent sale could help free up some funds for summer investment.

Another star of the Portuguese league is on the Gunners' radar, with Sporting's Viktor Gyokeres an option up front. The Swede's 38 goals make him far and away the top scorer in the Primeira Liga, and victory for Sporting in their final game of the season will see them crowned champions.