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Ange Postecoglou, not for the first time this season, was rather baffled.

He had just been asked to assess Tottenham's season following the 4-1 defeat by Brighton - the side's 22nd loss in the Premier League this season.

The Australian bristled at the question, seemingly confused as to how the season could be seen as anything but a blistering success given he had guided the club to its first trophy since 2008 just five days earlier.

"How do I assess it?! Outstanding! " said Postecoglou.

"We won a trophy, which we haven't done for 17 years, and we're in the Champions League.

"Ask anyone at this football club at the start of the year if they'd take that and I'm pretty sure there wouldn't be a person in the house that wouldn't."

Having fulfilled his remit of qualifying for the Champions League and winning a trophy, the Australian bemoaned the fact that his future was still up for debate.

"I will be honest, I have been finding it really weird talking about my future when we have done something unprecedented," he said.

"I have had to answer the questions because no-one else at the club is in the position to do so, I guess."

There is only one person who can answer the questions about his future - Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.

Sunday's loss against Brighton saw Spurs slip to a 17th place finish, their worst ever in Premier League history.

The 38 points they accumulated is six points short of their previous worst points tally of 44, which they hit in the 1997/98 season.

In fact, Spurs lost twice as many games (22) as they won this season (11), and finished with a goal difference of -1.

Postecoglou will argue that his side was blighted by injury problems over the winter months and that the focus shifted to the Europa League once it became clear that relegation was no longer a threat.

But it is hard to get away from just how bad Tottenham's domestic campaign has been.

They have won just three league games in 2025 - against Brentford, Ipswich and Southampton.

Spurs finished the league season on a seven-game winless run, with their last victory coming against Southampton on 6 April.

Levy must now decide whether success in Europe was a true representation of Spurs' quality under Postecoglou, or whether results in the Premier League are a better indication of the side's calibre.

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The proverb 'he who laughs last, laughs longest' certainly applies to Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou, who has answered his critics by winning the Europa League and will be able to enjoy a party atmosphere on Sunday too.

I am delighted for Ange because some of the flak he has taken has been extraordinarily over the top. One newspaper suggested he would be known as a clown if Spurs had lost Wednesday's final, which is the kind of thing I have not read since the days when England boss Graham Taylor was compared to a turnip.

The people who write that kind of thing either do not look at Postecoglou's track record or they have been dismissive of it. Fair play to him, because he came out a few months back and talked about always winning something in his second season at a club.

He said it because it was true and also because he believed he could win a trophy this season with Spurs too and, you know what, he has gone and backed it up. There were so many people out there who were desperate for him to fail, but he has rammed that down their throats.

Postecoglou is a good guy, but people were continuously trying to poke him and provoke him in interviews. He wants to stay as Spurs boss and I hope he does but, regardless of what happens in the summer, he has proved he is a winner. He is a legendary figure at Tottenham now, and I am absolutely made up for him.

His players gave everything against Manchester United and it was a defensive masterclass. I hear a lot about how Tottenham always play the same way under Postecoglou, but that wasn't 'Ange-ball' as I know it - with their lack of possession in that game (27%), it was more like 'Ange-wall'.

I am not sure how much the Spurs players will have left in their legs for this game, especially against a Brighton team who have found a bit of form, are playing with freedom and are also looking to secure eighth place and possibly a European spot too.

That's why I am going for the Seagulls to win - but I don't think the Spurs fans will care too much about this result, and understandably so.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

There is little more Ange Postecoglou can do. What happens next is in the hands of Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy.

Spurs host Brighton on Sunday in their final game of a season that's swung between sublime to abysmal.

Defeat would condemn the club to a 17th-placed finish with 38 points, their worst ever Premier League campaign.

But given what has unfolded over the last few days, that disappointment, certainly in the eyes of supporters, is irrelevant.

For Tottenham are no longer nearly men. They are winners; the euphoria of Wednesday night's Europa League final success over Manchester United won't fade for some time yet.

So, it seems inconceivable then that the architect of Spurs' first trophy triumph since 2008 – and first European title since 1984 – is facing uncertainty over his future.

But that is where we find ourselves regarding Postecoglou at the end of this troubled campaign.

The club's abysmal domestic campaign has meant Tottenham have started the process of identifying candidates to succeed the Australian before the 2025/26 campaign.

Indeed, it is widely accepted Postecoglou's tenure would almost certainly have ended had they lost to United in Bilbao.

But they didn't. And therein may lie a quandary for Levy.

Should they lose on Sunday, 22 league defeats would be unacceptable for a club with Tottenham's squad and resources.

In usual circumstances, the manager would take the rap for that and relieved of his duties.

But these aren't usual circumstances. Postecoglou has succeeded where so many – including Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte – have failed.

Aside from the glory, victory in Bilbao meant Spurs have qualified for the Champions League, the financial and reputational benefits of that achievement are well-documented.

Many of those supporters who'd given up on Postecoglou just a few weeks ago were singing his name at the club's trophy parade on Friday.

In the space of a 90-plus minutes on Wednesday night, the 59-year-old has managed to alter the narrative and galvanise a fanbase who had been down on their haunches for so long.

So with that in mind, you wonder how much public opinion and the swathes of affection thrown in Postecoglou's direction over the previous four days will influence Levy.

While the case for keeping Postecoglou would have been a hard sell had they lost the final, there is certainly a far stronger argument for it now.

Even those who had become so disenchanted by his reign would surely accept there should at least be a conversation over whether he deserves to start a third season at Tottenham.

Another pertinent factor here is which manager could Tottenham appoint to excite supporters so much that they would accept the Australian's departure?

There is a danger that replacing Postecoglou, given his new-found affection, with an underwhelming appointment could antagonise a fanbase that already has a difficult relationship with Levy and the club's ownership.

You'd imagine Tottenham fans would accept Postecoglou's departure for, say, someone like Jurgen Klopp or Carlo Ancelotti – but given the adulation towards the Australian over the last few days - would they accept it for a manager without a proven track record of winning trophies?

You'd imagine Levy could score some major brownie points by retaining Postecoglou.

The strength of the bond between players and manager may also have him pondering his decision.

Senior players have all come out in support of Postecoglou in recent weeks. Winning a trophy will only serve to solidify a connection that looks to have grown towards the end of the season.

When Postecoglou meets Levy to decide the next step, you'd imagine the coach will point towards that relationship.

He may also point to the risks involved in ripping up a project that has just had its watershed moment and that this is a moment to build, not start again.

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou is yet to discuss his future at the club following their Europa League triumph.

Victory over Manchester United in Wednesday's final ended Spurs' 17-year wait for a trophy.

However, speculation over whether Postecoglou will be sacked has continued given Tottenham sit 17th in the Premier League table with one game to play.

The former Celtic boss, 59, has remained defiant and told fans at Friday's Europa League victory parade that in "all the best TV series, season three is better than season two".

But in his pre-match news conference before Sunday's last match of the season against Brighton, Postecoglu said: "I should have thought about it a bit more because sometimes they kill off the main character.

"I really feel we're building something. It's exciting. I have a group of players, a group of staff and a club that knows how to win.

"Similar to before, I haven't had any discussions with the club and maybe they were waiting for clear air.

"I haven't given it a lot of thought, I just refuse to be distracted by anything.

"I assume at some point someone will tell me something, otherwise I'll just turn up next season and get on with my job."

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou told fans "season three is better than season two" as they gathered at a victory parade for the Europa League champions.

The Australian is in his second year with the club and before landing a first trophy for Spurs in 17 years, it had been anticipated he would lose his job for a poor domestic season.

His side are 17th in the Premier League table with one game remaining and only the three relegated sides have performed worse.

The club are undertood to have started the process of identifying potential replacements for Postecoglou.

However, he was loudly cheered by fans who gathered for Friday's victory parade through the streets of north London, while players spoke of their love for their boss.

And speaking to fans from outside the club's stadium before the Europa League trophy was lifted, Postecoglou suggested better times lay ahead for them.

"All the best TV series, season three is better than season two," he said, to loud cheers of approval.

Winning the Europa League means Spurs have qualified for next season's Champions League competition.

Long time coming for the Lilywhites

Spurs’ 1-0 victory over Man United in Bilbao on Wednesday night marks the end of a 41-year drought in the club’s European trophy cabinet.

While it has been 17 years since they won their last piece of silverware in the 2008 League Cup, this passed without a victory parade.

Tottenham’s streets were last treated to the open-top bus spectacle back in 1991, when the club lifted the FA Cup.

The long-suffering, now rewarded, Lilywhites are expected to take to the route in their droves.

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How Spurs won the match

Simon Stone

BBC Sport chief football news reporter

Tottenham ended their 17-year wait for a trophy as Brennan Johnson's first-half goal was enough to beat Manchester United in the Europa League final.

The goal was scruffy, with some debate over whether Johnson got the last touch - and was totally in keeping with the tepid domestic seasons of these two underperforming sides, but no-one at Spurs will care about that.

On a night of clear tension and nerves, evident from both sides from the first minutes, and afflicting even the most experienced performers, it was always likely to require a little bit of luck to claim victory.

Up to that point, Tottenham had not had a shot on target. They were not to have another. It didn't matter a jot. In his 100th game as Spurs boss, Postecoglou got his second season trophy

Read Simon's full report of Tottenham's victory

From Seoul to Bilbao to London

Freddy Tennyson

BBC London

I’ve found Ji Lee and Youn Kim on the Weaver Line from Liverpool Street to White Hart Lane.

The pair travelled from South Korea to watch their beloved Tottenham Hotspur win in Bilbao. I say beloved lightly as it was Son Heung-Min that brought them there.

They spent the night outside their hotel on Wednesday and now they’re in Tottenham to celebrate with the fans.

What time and where will the route go?

The victory parade is expected to depart from Edmonton Green at about 17:30 BST and will trundle its way on the two-mile journey to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

It will go southbound on the Broadway/Fore Street towards the High Road, eastbound past the stadium via Lansdowne Road, northbound via Willoughby Lane and end westbound via Northumberland Park.

The parade is expected to last between 60 and 90 minutes, finishing in the stadium's service yard adjacent to Sainsbury's on Northumberland Park.

There will be a DJ, live music and a "legend" Q&A session from 15:00 on a stage above the High Road outside the stadium on Paxton Terrace.

We’ll have reporters among all along the route and among the fans bringing you all the highlights

Spurs celebrate European success

Welcome to our live coverage of Tottenham Hotspurs' victory parade.

Over the next few hours, we'll bring you the scenes from north London as the Lilywhites celebrate their win over Manchester United in the Europa League final.

After a fairly dismal domestic season, the team ends the season on a high after securing their first silverware in 17 years and a prized place in the Champions League.

We've got reporters at the parade and a team of us here, in the newsroom, ready to bring you what they're seeing and hearing. Stay put for all the latest updates.

For Tottenham, a summer of opportunity beckons. Their historic Europa League triumph in Spain means they can head into the close season with a bounce in their step.

Their 17-year trophy drought is over and, pertinently, they are back in the Champions League.

With that, swings open certain doors. Finances are stronger; you can attract players – or managers in Spurs' case - who wouldn't have necessarily given your club a second glance.

The Champions League is where the elite players demand to perform. It's the platform the best emerging talent dream of reaching.

Life's easier in the Champions League and Daniel Levy can take solace in that ahead of what is gearing up to be a busy summer.

Here we look at their to-do list, from the manager's future, to recruitment plans and the bonuses for European glory.

Of course, the biggest development this summer will inevitably be the identity of their head coach.

Ange Postecoglou etched his name into Tottenham folklore on Wednesday night, yet his position heading into next season remains uncertain.

Whether the euphoria of what unfolded in Spain changes the direction of travel regarding Postecoglou's future should become clear in the immediate future.

Prior to this week's success, the expectancy was that Postecoglou would leave ahead of next season; the Australian ultimately paying the price for a dreadful domestic season.

BBC Sport understands the club are some way down the line in the process of identifying potential replacements for Postecoglou.

So with that in mind, if Spurs have the strength in their initial convictions then Postecoglou may still be on borrowed time.

That said, how do you dismiss a manager who has just led you to such glory?

However the next few days unfold, what is clear for Tottenham is that they must execute the change in leadership, if there is to be one, smoothly – certainly more professionally than their previous managerial search that saw them lurch from candidate to candidate before finally resting on Postecoglou.

Among the contenders are believed to be Thomas Frank – who has a relationship with technical director Johan Lange - Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva and Oliver Glasner.

All may have had reservations about joining Tottenham prior to Wednesday night. But with Champions League football to look forward to, Spurs have become a significantly more attractive option.

The potential re-appointment of Fabio Paratici must also be considered.

Paratici, who left his position as managing director of football in 2023 after an appeal against a two-and-a-half-year Fifa ban for alleged financial irregularities dating back to his spell at Juventus was rejected by Italy's highest sports court, is in talks over a return when his suspension is lifted in July.

How influential could he be in the decision over Postecoglou and his possible replacement?

How would Paratici – who also has some interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia – and Lange co-exist in relatively similar roles?

If Paratici does complete a return, does that mean current chief of football Scott Munn's days are numbered particularly with Vinai Venkatesham already confirmed as the club's next CEO?

BBC Sport understands that the sense within the club's recruitment team is that their young squad should be supplemented with more experience.

For instance, an established central midfielder is believed to be on the club's radar this summer.

If they lose vice-captain Cristian Romero to La Liga, they will look to replace the Argentina international with a ready-made replacement.

Spurs tried to sign Crystal Palace and England international Marc Guehi in January and remain interested in the centre-back.

They will be at pains to keep the experience already at the club. Rodrigo Bentancur, whose current deal expires next year, has held initial talks over an extension.

The club have already exercised an option to extend captain Son Heung-min's contract until the summer of 2026.

That isn't to say Tottenham will abandon their remit of signing young talent with Southampton's teenager Tyler Dibling a target.

And whoever is the manager will have a massive say as you'd expect.

Not for the first time, it's gearing up to be an interesting summer at Tottenham.

Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Gerry Armstrong says boss Ange Postecoglou should be given more time in charge after winning the club's first trophy in 17 years.

Spurs beat Manchester United 1-0 in Thursday's Europa League final in Bilbao to secure Champions League football for next season.

Armstrong, who spent five years at the club between 1975 and 1980, making 84 league appearances and scoring 10 goals, says European success should be enough to put their faith in Postecoglou.

The Australian has two years left on his contract and Armstrong told BBC Sport NI: "I'm backing Ange for next season.

"I think he deserves another year, after what he has done and I'm hoping that winning the Europa League is going to make a difference.

"It's a huge lift for Tottenham and Postecoglou to win the trophy and gain some silverware - 41 years since they have won a European trophy."

The Europa League success was Tottenham's first trophy since a 2008 League Cup win, with a Uefa Cup triumph back in 1984.

Postecoglou has come under pressure this season with Spurs currently fourth from bottom in the Premier League.

But former Northern Ireland international Armstrong added: "I think it could be a turning point for them for next season and I think they will make around £100m.

"With that in mind, I think they can now get themselves into the top six or seven in the table for next season and the fans will be looking forward to that and obviously playing Champions League football."

While he admitted it was not a match that will be remembered for its outstanding football, he felt Spurs produced a solid team effort at the San Mames stadium.

"The back four looked really solid. I was a little bit worried about the goalkeeper, but he made three or four great saves," he added. "On the night, it was a good team performance, everybody worked hard.

"I didn't expect them to defend that deep for that long. I thought they would maybe have staged a few more counter-attacks and pushed forward a bit more.

"What a crazy season it's been for both sides though. It's the lowest I can remember them [Spurs] finishing, apart from the year they were relegated back in 1976-77. [Manchester] United have obviously struggled hugely in the league too.

"But this win will certainly give them (Spurs) confidence and belief. I'm pleased for so many of the players too, who will maybe never get an opportunity like that again, to play in Europe and to win a final."

They say it does not matter how you score, as long as the ball goes in but, even so, Brennan Johnson may be feeling pretty fortunate that he has gone down in history as Tottenham Hotspur's Europa League final match-winner.

The ball appeared to go in off Manchester United defender Luke Shaw when Johnson made contact with Pape Matar Sarr's cross into the box during the first half of Spurs' 1-0 win in Bilbao.

Perhaps somewhat generously, though, Uefa credited the goal to Johnson. The scruffiest of goals, but the sweetest of memories for the Wales forward to cherish before his 24th birthday on Friday.

"I knew I touched it a bit [for the goal], but not clean, then I looked up and the ball was trickling in the goal," Johnson told TNT Sports after the game.

"[In the last five minutes] I couldn't watch. I was just asking 'how long left?' When we defended that corner, I was getting told it was done and the relief is something I can't describe."

No wonder, given how special it was for him and his club. The goal was Johnson's 20th of the season for club and country - his best return in a single campaign - and gave Spurs their first piece of silverware since 2008.

"I'm so happy right now," he said. "This season has not been good at all, not one of us players care about that now.

"This team has not won a trophy for 17 years, it means so much.

"All the fans get battered, we get battered for not winning a trophy. We had to get the first one. I'm so happy. Ever since I came here it has been 'Tottenham, good team but can't get it done', but we got it done."

Finding himself 17th in the Premier League was not what Johnson would have expected when he joined Spurs from Nottingham Forest for a fee in excess of £45m in the summer of 2023.

While his old club have been one of the stories of the season, challenging for a Champions League spot, his current employers and boss Ange Postecoglou have been ridiculed for their dismal domestic campaign.

But Johnson, who also scored in Spurs' Europa League semi-final win over Bodo/Glimt, said he and his team-mates owed Postecoglou a debt of gratitude for "trusting in us" over the course of a successful European campaign that defied their struggles in the Premier League.

"He has done his job," said Johnson. "He said he wins in the second year and he has, if there's ever a time for a mic drop, it's now [when he speaks to the media].

"I can't thank the manager enough for how much trust he has in us, and he has a really good way of getting us up for it."

Johnson added: "Tottenham Hotspur being 17th in the Premier League is not good enough. We had an unbelievable Europa League run. The fans have been so good, home and away, and they had the edge over the United fans. They were all here an hour before the game, they got us through the game."