The Independent

Ange Postecoglou addressed ongoing speculation over his future at Tottenham Hotspur following the club’s 4-1 defeat to Brighton on the final day of the Premier League season.

Postecoglou led Spurs to the first trophy win in 17 years when they defeated Manchester United 1-0 in the Europa League final and backed up a statement he made earlier this season about always winning trophies in his second season at a club.

But, success in Europe has been somewhat overshadowed by Tottenham’s awful campaign in the league. Spurs finished 17th, just one place above the relegation zone, and lost 22 of their 38 matches in the top flight.

And, despite Dominic Solanke sending them ahead against Brighton on the final day of the season, they were heavily beaten by the Seagulls following a Josh Hinshelwood brace and goals from Matt O’Reilly and Diego Gomez.

Such poor performances have been littered throughout the season for Spurs leading to constant speculation that Postecoglou would be asked to leave the club in spite of his trophy-winning European campaign.

"You're asking the wrong person. Everyone in the media is intelligent enough to know I'm not the person to know to ask those questions,” Postecoglou told Match of the Day when asked if there was any truth to the speculation.

When pressed on if he had any update about his future with Tottenham the Spurs boss added: "No, I haven't, I get people asking me that, maybe the question doesn't need to be asked, I am contracted, unless the media know something I don't, I'm just the wrong person to ask?

“I don't know, I'm doing my job, I take my responsibility seriously, it's not to think about my future, it's to think about this football club and set them up for success. It doesn't bother me asking me about my future. I can't answer. I'm pretty relaxed about it. It's been an unbelievable season. I couldn't be any prouder.

“I'll have a break and then hopefully we'll be back first day next season to start things."

The Premier League will have nine representatives in European competition next season after the Premier League’s last round of fixtures confirmed the final placings in the table.

League champions Liverpool and runners-up Arsenal had already booked their spots in the European top flight but five teams competed for the three remaining spots in a thrilling finale to the domestic season.

The race for the European places came down to a battle between Newcastle, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest to see who would join Arne Slot’s Reds, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners and Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs in the Champions League.

Tottenham’s triumph over Manchester United in the Europa League final meant their place had already been booked for the 2025/26 season while Crystal Palace’s FA Cup triumph against Man City sealed a Europa League spot for them and Newcastle’s Carabao Cup win meant they were guaranteed at least have a Conference League place.

Here’s how the Premier League teams qualified for next season’s European competitions:

The top five teams in the Premier League qualify for next season’s Champions League due to the league’s performances in all of Uefa’s competitions this season, and a guaranteed top-two spot in Uefa’s association club coefficient rankings, unlocking a "European Performance Spot" (EPS).

The Premier League will now have SIX clubs in next season's Champions League – five from the top five clubs in the Premier League, plus Tottenham, who won the 2024/25 Europa League.

Liverpool won the title and Arsenal’s runners-up berth mean they were both through ahead of the weekend’s final fixture. Manchester City joined them with a 2-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage while Chelsea’s 1-0 victory at the City Ground kept Nottingham Forest at bay.

The most drama revolved around Newcastle and Aston Villa who switched places over the course of the final afternoon. Ultimately, Newcastle’s defeat to Everton at St. James’ Park meant nothing as Villa lost 2-0 to Manchester United meaning they missed out on goal difference.

Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea, Newcastle and Tottenham will all play in the Champions League next season.

English football also has two Europa League places.

One usually goes to the fifth-placed finisher in the Premier League but this now becomes the sixth-placed team after England was handed an additional fifth Champions League spot, as detailed above.

Aston Villa, with an inferior goal difference of +7 compared to Newcastle’s +21, means they finish sixth despite sharing the same number of points (66) as Eddie Howe’s Magpies. Unai Emery’s men head into the Europa League instead of the Champions League next season.

The other Europa League place goes to the winners of the FA Cup: Crystal Palace. Given the Eagles could not finish inside the European places through the Premier League standings, only sixth in the table secured entry to the Europa League.

The winners of the EFL Cup also qualify for the Conference League with that being Newcastle United.

After ending a 56-year wait for a trophy, Eddie Howe’s side were sure of a place in Europe, but qualification for the Champions League meant an extra space was unlocked in the Conference League through the league standings.

That went to the club who finished seventh: Nottingham Forest.

For most of the season is seemed as though Nuno Espirito Santo’s side had a Champions League place on lock but a poor end to the campaign, including a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in the final fixture, means they must settle for a Conference League spot instead.

English teams competing in Europe next season

Champions League

Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur

Europa League

Aston Villa, Crystal Palace

Conference League

Nottingham Forest

Ange Postecoglou teased a potential third season at Tottenham Hotspur as thousands of fans serenaded him and the club’s Europa League heroes at a euphoric open-top bus parade.

Two days after Brennan Johnson’s 42nd-minute winner in Bilbao fired Spurs to a 1-0 victory over Manchester United, the players to end a 17-year trophy drought were back in north London.

A white double-decker bus with ‘Europa League winners’ written across the front started in Edmonton Green at 5.30pm before it moved down the High Road to chants of ‘glory, glory Tottenham Hotspur’ from supporters young and old.

An estimated 150,000 fans were expected to swarm on areas around Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with plenty on roofs and bus stops to get a better vantage point before a stage outside the club’s 62,850-seater venue allowed for further adulation.

Postecoglou had to pause before he addressed a buoyant crowd, which belted out his song to the tune of Robbie Williams’ hit ‘Angels’ for one of the first times this season.

The 59-year-old, who has faced continuous speculation over his future, then dropped a hint that he could get his wish of a third campaign at Spurs.

“I told them and they laughed. I told them and they didn’t believe, but here we are,” Postecoglou said in reference to his autumn claim that he “always wins things” in his second year.

“We’re here because of this unbelievable group of people players and staff, absolute heroes led by the legend Son Heung-min, Cuti (Cristian) Romero, James Maddison and Guglielmo Vicario. All of them, heroes.

“They did it all for you, because you deserve it. This club deserves it.

“And I’ll tell you something, I’ll leave you with this – all the best television series, season three is better than season two. Thank you.”

It was met with enormous cheers, with Daniel Levy watching on before several of the key figures from Wednesday’s win at San Mames took to the stage.

Captain Son Heung-min and James Maddison could not help themselves from the odd expletive.

Match-winner Johnson, who turned 24 on Friday, also had happy birthday sang to him before fireworks were let out from the roof of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium alongside blue and white confetti.

This is Spurs’ first trophy parade since a 1991 FA Cup win and club greats were on hand to reflect on the achievements of the class of ’25.

Graham Roberts scored in the 1984 UEFA Cup success and backed this current team to claim more silverware, he said: “This will give them belief now. All that pressure that was there, that’s gone.

“They love Ange, they went round him, they cuddled him, they wanted him in the photos. The team spirit is there.

“We’ll get more now, the rest will come.”

Micky van de Ven, who produced a miraculous clearance in Bilbao, echoed those sentiments on the open-top bus, he said: “If you experience this, you want to do it over and over again. We’re going to try to do the same beautiful things next season.”

Birthday boy Johnson added: “It’s definitely up there, I can’t think of many better!

“Unbelievable day. So good to soak it all in.

“The club has so many supporters, so many real supporters, who haven’t won anything in a little while so I expected it to be unbelievable and it’s exceeded my expectations.”

Maddison, with a beer in hand, insisted: “I love this club, man. It’s the best decision I ever made, joining this club.”

Son added: “Our group, we have done it. I’m so proud of this group. Today is the day that is special. I’m very lucky I was captain.”

Tottenham’s Europa League heroes were serenaded by thousands of fans as the club’s open-top bus parade started at Edmonton Green.

Two days after Brennan Johnson’s 42nd-minute winner in Bilbao fired Spurs to a 1-0 victory over Manchester United, the players to end a 17-year trophy drought were back in north London.

A white double-decker bus with “Europa League winners” written across the front was stationary for a lengthy period of time before it started to move down the High Road at 5.30pm to chants of “glory, glory Tottenham Hotspur” from supporters young and old.

An estimated 150,000 fans were expected to swarm on areas around Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for a parade expected to last around 90 minutes and that will see the bus pass by the club’s 62,850-seater venue.

This is Spurs’ first trophy parade since a 1991 FA Cup win and club greats were on hand to reflect on the achievements of the class of ’25 before the team bus started to slowly move down the High Road.

Graham Roberts scored a crucial goal the last time Tottenham claimed European success in the 1984 UEFA Cup and backed Ange Postecoglou’s side to chase more silverware now.

Roberts said: “This will give them belief now. All that pressure that was there, that’s gone.

“We have to strengthen our squad, but I think we have a great bunch of boys.

“They love Ange, they went round him, they cuddled him, they wanted him in the photos. The team spirit is there.

“We’ll get more now, the rest will come. Wednesday was one of the greatest nights. I had tears in my eyes.

“We were in the fan park, me and Ledley (King). The fans were magnificent. They deserve it. I just hope we get a team on the pitch on Sunday.”

Defender Micky van de Ven said: “Unbelievable man. Yeah I slept a little bit (in the last 48 hours).

“Emotional, so emotional. The season we’ve had, it was so difficult, but we got the trophy and we’re so happy. I’m so proud of the boys.

“If you experience this, you want to do it over and over again. We’re going to try to do the same beautiful things next season.”

Tottenham ended their 17-year trophy drought as they defeated Manchester United to win the Europa League final in Bilbao.

Spurs delivered victory for Ange Postecoglou in the all-or-nothing clash as Brennan Johnson forced in a scrappy winning goal before half time.

Tottenham were resilient defensively as they held onto their lead, with Micky van de Ven producing the standout moment with an acrobatic goal-line clearance.

But Tottenham will not care and can now celebrate a season-saving trophy, as well as qualification for next year’s Champions League.

Here are how the players rated from the Europa League final

Guglielmo Vicario, 6

Looked nervy, then flapped at a free-kick that almost let United back into it but he was bailed out by Van de Ven. It’s amazing he wasn’t tested more by United - but he made the all important save from Shaw’s header to get Spurs over the line.

Pedro Porro, 7

Whipped in couple of excellent crosses early on and provided some threat, though set-pieces were less accurate.

Cristian Romero, 8

Led Tottenham to their first trophy in 17 years, all while walking a disciplinary tightrope. Involved in many a tussle. Just about got the balance right.

Micky van de Ven, 9

Player of the final, producing an astonishing goal-line clearance to keep Spurs ahead. Even before then, he made an excellent block to deny a Fernandes volley and lept Hojlund very quiet. Physically dominant all match.

Destiny Udogie, 7

Was kept busy by Diallo, but gradually started to hold it down and he had an excellent second half. Lots of energy up and down the left.

Yves Bissouma, 5

Midfield was particularly scrappy and it was hard for anyone to stand out. Gave away some cheap fouls but generally held his position.

Rodrigo Bentancur, 6

Offered some penetration with his run from deep that led to Tottenham’s winning goal, creating that space for Sarr to deliver. Very solid in the second half in defensive midfield.

Pape Matar Sarr, 6

Had been quiet, until finding the teasing cross to the front post that led to Shaw’s own goal. United’s defence and Onana did not know how to deal with it. Grew into it and gave Tottenham some legs and athleticism when they grew deeper.

Brennan Johnson, 6

Again, had keep very quiet until forcing Tottenham’s winning goal in the final. It went in off Shaw, but Johnson forced it with his willingness to run across. Worked hard.

Dominic Solanke, 5

Harry Maguire did a very good job on the Tottenham striker. Should have done much better on the counter-attack in the second half, but his touch was awful.

Richarlison, 5

Selected ahead of Son Heung Min and it was hard to see why for long spells, but did find an incisive ball into Bentancur for the winning goa and he put in a good shift defensively.

Subs

Son Heung Min, 5: Could have offered more on the break late on.

Kevin Danso, 6: Came on to help see the game out. Made one incredible headed clearance.

Djed Spence, N/A

Archie Gray, N/A

Andre Onana, 4

There were questions marks across the United defence for the goal. It’s hard to escape the idea that Onana doesn’t help with his communication, or lack of. Distribution very poor.

Leny Yoro, 5

Recovered to start in the Europa League final, the 19-year-old offered some decent moments in possession - but made a terrible decision to go for goal from distance in the final minutes.

Harry Maguire, 6

One of United’s better performers on the night. Kept Solanke quiet and played a few decent passes over the defence or out wide.

Luke Shaw, 4

Unfortunate with the own goal, and looked to be pointing towards Johnson to instruct Dorgu to get closer to the Tottenham forward. That said, Shaw was very sloppy from kick-off.

Noussair Mazraoui, 4

Set up a good chance for Fernandes. But so one-paced, and couldn’t take advantage on the few occasions where United were able to play out.

Casemiro, 4

Looked a lot more like the Casemiro in the Premier League than the Europa League. Struggled with the pace.

Bruno Fernandes, 5

Couldn’t summon one last escape act but it wasn’t for a lack of trying. Probably missed United’s best chance, heading Mazraoui's header wide.

Patrick Dorgu, 3

Really poor on the goal, given he could see across the backline. The space between Shaw and Dorgu was a weak link for United all game. Delivery not good enough from wide areas too.

Amad Diallo, 6

Was United’s most dangerous attacking player in the first half, with a couple of lively dribbles into the box.

Mason Mount, 3

His selection over Alejandro Garnacho was a big call and one that did not pay off. Struggled to make an impact, or show why he was in the team.

Rasmus Hojlund, 3

Clearly works very hard but this was a familiar story, with the striker lacking any attacking threat or contributing any decisive actions on the ball. Denied by Van de Ven’s extraordinary clearance.

Subs

Alejandro Garnacho, 6: Made an impact. Should have come on a lot earlier.

Joshua Zirkzee, 5: Brought an improvement.

Diogo Dalot, N/A

Kobbie Mainoo, N/A

Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United meet in Bilbao tonight for a showdown that could salvage either side’s season.

Spurs arrive at San Mamés for the Europa League final, desperate to end a 16-year trophy drought and “change the narrative” of a faltering campaign.

Ange Postecoglou’s men have impressed in Europe, overcoming Bodo/Glimt and Eintracht Frankfurt with resilience and tactical flexibility. “We want to change something,” said captain Son Heung-min, echoing the mood within the Spurs camp.

United, by contrast, approach the final with colder conviction. Ruben Amorim’s side dismantled Athletic Club 7-1 in the two-legged semi-final and are seeking a third trophy in two years.

But Amorim played down the stakes, saying, “This final changes nothing,” in keeping with his blunt assessment of United’s domestic struggles.

While Tottenham’s players speak of dreams and redemption, United lean on history and habit. “It’s about winning, plain and simple,” Bruno Fernandes said ahead of kick-off.

Both sides are injury-hit: United miss key defenders, Spurs are without their midfield core. But both have inverted their Premier League form in Europe – Spurs becoming composed and clinical, United rediscovering belief.

It all comes down to this: a one-country final between two flawed teams chasing very different kinds of validation.

So who will rise in Bilbao – the team that dreams of winning, or the one that expects it?

Both teams hope to secure silverware and qualify for next season’s Champions League with victory at the San Mames in Bilbao

Manchester United have been forced to ditch their traditional kit for the Europa League final due to a long-held convention.

The Red Devils clash with Tottenham in a sub-standard European showcase on Wednesday, with the two struggling Premier League outfits vying for silverware and an unlikely place in next season’s Champions League.

However, United will have a slightly different look to usual when they take to the San Mames, with a 64-year Spurs tradition dictating a change in strip.

It has been confirmed that Ruben Amorim’s side will sport black shorts instead of their traditional white, alongside their iconic red shirts and black socks.

This is due to the fact Spurs have worn all white in Europe since 1961 - and after being picked as the “home” side for the game, their kit choice supersedes that of United.

The tradition to don the white jersey was adopted by former manager Bill Nicholson, who strove to increase visibility for his players in stadiums that didn’t have good lighting in place.

Man United were previously required to alter their kit in Europe this season, sporting the same black shorts in their quarter-final first leg against Real Sociedad, in which they drew 1-1.

Spurs face Man United in a huge Europa League final, with both teams hoping to secure silverware and qualify for next season’s Champions League with victory at the San Mames in Bilbao

Tottenham Hotspur face Manchester United in the Europa League final tonight in Bilbao in a game that will elevate or condemn what have been, until this point, dismal campaigns for both clubs.

Both sides have been poor in the Premier League, combining for a staggering 39 defeats to sit 16th and 17th in the table, but both sets of supporters have overcome limited travel options to arrive in the Basque Country ready for their date with destiny.

Ange Postecoglou claimed he “always wins” a trophy in his second year in charge of clubs and has created waves of headlines in the build-up by taking a swipe at a journalist for writing that he was “teetering between hero and clown”. United arrive at the final unbeaten in Europe this term and looking to repeat the glory of 2017 in this competition over the heartache in 2021 when theu fell to Villarreal on penalties in the final.

And United have not beaten Spurs in their last six matches, with three successive losses, but Ruben Amorim’s side can boost hopes of a successful summer transfer window with victory here.

Follow all the latest team news and updates from chief football writer Miguel Delaney in Bilbao, with both managers and players set to speak ahead of Wednesday’s game:

The surprise Ruben Amorim pick that can inspire Manchester United to Europa League glory

One figure who Ruben Amorim has consistently praised in the last few months is Mason Mount, who has overcome injury and could play a key role today - as Pete Hall explores.

The surprise Amorim pick that can inspire Man United to Europa League glory

Amorim could deploy a false nine against Tottenham Hotspur to energise a United side struggling with Rasmus Hojlund in attack, with Mason Mount a candidate to start in that role over Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho

Flo Clifford21 May 2025 09:24

Spurs have had a terrible season – winning the Europa League won’t give them bragging rights over Arsenal

No opportunity to stoke the fires of tribalism is ever missed in the world of who can shout the loudest football analysis.

It is easy for some to claim Tottenham’s season will be a successful one, and more successful than Arsenal’s, should Spurs win the Europa League and end their agonising 17-year trophy drought. Arsenal’s wait for another Premier League triumph goes on, having become bridesmaids once more, this time to Liverpool.

Spurs have had a terrible season – winning in Europe won’t change that

Spurs could win their first major silverware in 17 years, with bitter rivals Arsenal unable to win a trophy once again under Mikel Arteta. But, argues Pete Hall, a win won’t make up for Ange Postecoglou’s disastrous league campaign

Flo Clifford21 May 2025 09:20

Ange Postecoglou confirms huge Tottenham injury blow for Europa League final

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou confirmed that Lucas Bergvall will be absent from the Europa League final at a press conference on the eve of the clash with Manchester United.

The midfielder has been missing since the end of April due to a significant ankle ligament injury and missed the semi-final victory over Bodo/Glimt.

He was initially ruled out for the rest of the season but travelled with the Tottenham squad to Bilbao and was seen in training with the team.

Despite hopes of a last minute return, Bergvall lacks match fitness and won’t be involved in the game confirmed Postecoglou. The Tottenham boss said: "Team news is pretty much the same as last week. Lucas [Bergvall] isn't available so it's pretty much the same as last week."

Ange Postecoglou confirms Tottenham injury blow for Europa League final

Midfielder Lucas Bergvall will miss the match against Manchester United on Wednesday

Flo Clifford21 May 2025 09:15

The farcical and fragile moments behind Manchester United’s lucky Europa League run

One of the largest clubs in the world has reached the Europa League final. Furnished with one of the biggest budgets in the game, in a year when their transfer outlay exceeded £230m, they arguably started the Europa League as favourites, finished third in the group stage, and are the only unbeaten side in all three European competitions.

It makes it sound simple. Manchester United being Manchester United, it has not been. The 16th side in the Premier League face Spurs, the team in 17th, in the Bilbao showpiece. United were 21st in the Europa League when they sacked Erik ten Hag. They have had three managers on their route to the final, trailed to teams from Portugal, Norway, Czechia and France. Harry Maguire has a 91st-minute equaliser and a 121st-minute winner. They have left it late to secure victory against Viktoria Plzen and Rangers, even later to beat Lyon. They have flirted with ignominy time and again and stand on the brink of triumph.

The farcical and fragile moments behind Man United’s lucky Europa League run

They can argue they earned their luck with indefatigability, moments of inspiration, and individuals delivering in improbable ways

Flo Clifford21 May 2025 09:05

The Tottenham and Man United flaws that will decide a Europa League final of extremes

As both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur came together in Bilbao, for a rare showpiece that distils so many disparate strands of both clubs' dismal seasons, there was one conspicuous difference between the camps.

Virtually everyone from Spurs said they were here to “change the bad season”, to “change the narrative”, to just “change something”. These comments came from Son Heung Min, Micky van de Ven and Ange Postecoglou.

With United, Ruben Amorim said this final changes nothing. That might be in keeping with the Portuguese’s unexpectedly scathing criticism of his own campaign - to the extent that it almost feels like he goes so severe to give himself cover - but it’s also consistent with the mood in his squad.

Read more from Miguel Delaney on the contrasting cultures and narratives of both clubs - and how they could combine in this unprecedented final.

Flo Clifford21 May 2025 08:50

Trio of United injury concerns all trained ahead of final

Forward Zirkzee has missed United’s last eight games in all competitions due to injury and had last month been ruled out for the rest of the season by boss Ruben Amorim.

Dalot (calf) has been absent for six matches, while fellow defender Yoro sat out last Friday’s 1-0 loss at Chelsea having sustained a foot issue.

While that trio were able to take part with their team-mates at Carrington on Tuesday morning – as was Jonny Evans – there was still no sign of Matthijs de Ligt, sidelined for the last three games.

Flo Clifford21 May 2025 08:40

Amad Diallo ‘praying’ for Europa League glory with Manchester United after double disappointment

It may have the makings of a quiz question. Which player was a runner-up in successive seasons of the Europa League with different clubs despite playing in neither final?

An answer of sorts will be apparent on Wednesday. Amad Diallo’s third Europa League final will also be his first: he hopes that, for the first time, the medal he collects will be gold. This time, he is not likely to languish among the unused substitutes the world of supersized benches has created.

“I already lost two. I hope to win this one. I keep praying for that one,” said the Manchester United winger. He has spent 240 minutes with a close-up view of such occasions, endured the disappointment of two penalty shootouts without being able to influence them.

Read more from Richard Jolly here:

Amad Diallo ‘praying’ for Europa League glory at third time of asking

The winger is hoping the third time will be the charm after failing to feature in two previous European final losses

Flo Clifford21 May 2025 08:28

Ruben Amorim delivers major injury boost for Man United for Europa League final

Ruben Amorim has delivered a triple injury boost for Man United with Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee, and Diogo Dalot all poised to make the Europa League final squad.

Both Yoro and Dalot made the training session on the San Mames pitch.

But it is Zirkzee that is the major shock, with his season thought to be over after a hamstring injury suffered at St James’ Park in April, with Amorim even declaring: “He will not play again this season, let's prepare him for the next one.”

Speaking before the game on Wednesday, Amorim added: “They are limited for their minutes in the game but they can help us to win the game.

“They recover quite well, they push. We respect the feelings of the players but push a little bit because they want to be a part of the team.”

Jack Rathborn21 May 2025 08:15

The sinister side of Man United after 20 years of decay from the Glazers

It is rare that a final arrives with such a sense of trepidation, but that is the case as Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur fight for the Europa League trophy this week in Bilbao.

Both sides arrive in the Basque Country needing a win just as much for financial and squad-building reasons as they do for morale, and for Manchester United especially it is a stark illustration of how far the club has fallen since the days of regularly challenging for the top honours.

While fans navigate testing travel conditions to even arrive at the San Mames on Wednesday, United are preparing for a ninth major European final while sitting 16th in the league. But the current situation has become a fitting illustration of the decay that began 20 years ago this month, when two decades of neglect, mismanagement and contempt started as the Glazer family took control of the club.

It was in May 2005 that the Glazers purchased a controlling stake in the club, with fan protests having taken place at various points as a full takeover edged closer.

The sinister side of Man United after 20 years of decay from the Glazers

May marks 20 years since the Glazers took ownership of United, though the Europa League final offers moments of light amidst the decay

Jack Rathborn21 May 2025 08:05

Why ‘shambolic’ Tottenham v Manchester United final is entirely by Uefa’s design

While some rival executives have literally been laughing at this “shambolic” Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, elements of it are by their own design.

The two English sides might have found it much more difficult to get to Bilbao had Juventus and Manchester City dropped down from the Champions League in the way those outside the top 16 used to, but this was one of the subjects discussed in the major negotiations between 2019 and 2021 that ultimately led to the Super League crisis.

The wealthiest clubs wanted more guarantees about qualifying for the Champions League, especially if they endured crisis seasons like United and Spurs have. Insiders insist that one reason they consequently removed the drop into the Europa League was specifically to give such clubs a clearer route back to the top.

Read more from Miguel Delaney here.

Jack Rathborn21 May 2025 07:55

As both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur came together in Bilbao, for a rare showpiece that distils so many disparate strands of both clubs' dismal seasons, there was one conspicuous difference between the camps.

Virtually everyone from Spurs said they were here to “change the bad season”, to “change the narrative”, to just “change something”. These comments came from Son Heung Min, Micky van de Ven and Ange Postecoglou.

With United, Ruben Amorim said this final changes nothing. That might be in keeping with the Portuguese’s unexpectedly scathing criticism of his own campaign - to the extent that it almost feels like he goes so severe to give himself cover - but it’s also consistent with the mood in his squad.

Bruno Fernandes spoke matter-of-factly about just winning a trophy. There was obvious discussion about what Champions League qualification would mean, but very little as regards the meaning of lifting the Europa League itself.

That’s because this is just what United do. Even in one of the worst periods of their history, they have won two trophies in two seasons, and are now going for their third.

It is not what Spurs do, at least in the modern era. Even in one of the best periods of their history, which was Mauricio Pochettino’s wildly overachieving spell, they still couldn't get that trophy. It is why victory would genuinely mean so much.

One question that weighs over this final is whether these different cultures are going to contribute to the outcome. It’s hard not to think it would be a much bigger discussion, were it not for the fact that it is just one of many extremes that frame this game.

Rarely has a match been so utterly binary. And that’s in terms of perception, potential analysis and even effect.

In the most basic terms, the winner will have enjoyed a successful season, the lifting of a trophy all that really remains in the memory. The loser will be cast as a total failure, with a final defeat just following on from dire league form.

It has already been revealed on these pages how there has never previously been a European final where both teams have been so low in their domestic leagues. It is genuinely unprecedented. They have both wasted so much money to get here, which is below where the club hierarchies would idealise.

That has in turn ensured this game has created this immense need, where the financial effects of Champions League qualification have become disproportionately important. The Europa League final may consequently form a sliding doors moment for English football, potentially re-energising one of these clubs. That has certainly been the main focus at Old Trafford.

One fair description, at least in relative terms, is that this is one of the worst finals in history.

And yet that may well make it one of the most entertaining. European competition has already inverted the norms of both of their seasons. Where they have been hapless in the Premier League, they have been heroic in Europe.

United have gone from a drab side so easy to pick apart to one that plays with real conviction. The first leg performance against Bilbao was so emphatic. Spurs have gone from a naive team that often collapse, to one that has displayed real canniness. The victory over Eintracht Frankfurt was a tactical masterclass.

There are obvious caveats to all of this, that figures within both clubs are only too keen to point to. One is injuries, and how that gradually left them needing to prioritise Europe over domestic lost causes.

A fair response is that Premier League champions Liverpool have shown how fitness injuries are no longer just blind bad luck. At the same time, this very theme may fittingly influence the game, offering a final coda to the season. United are virtually certain to be without their first-choice defence. Spurs are virtually certain to be without their first-choice midfield. Typically, both have more flaws than usual.

And that feels like it makes a genuinely 50-50 game all the more unpredictable. It's not just how both managers respond to their absences, but how their responses interact with each other.

It’s hard not to feel more focus falls on Postecoglou there, and not just because he is almost certain to leave Spurs at the end of the season. He has already beaten United three times in three different circumstances this season, but also complemented that by being much more willing than Amorim to drastically change his approach in Europe. It has been a striking, and almost surprising, feature of the season.

So, will Postecoglou do the same again? Will he offer that specifically tailored game plan, or will it be a battle of ideologues that may well lead to chaos?

It’s hard not to think the various elements will make this like the 4-3 Carabao Cup game in December rather than any of their other meetings. While that would usually lead to Spurs looking like favourites, fixtures like this can do funny things.

One-country European ties are generally strange enough. One-country finals are even stranger. They can be easily skewed, the atmosphere of the game taking over.

There are then those winning cultures. This might seem intangible esoteric stuff, but the tangible element is how it can influence the psychology of players, and their application.

United players can just see themselves winning. Spurs players are dreaming of it.

That’s why, emotionally, it would mean far more to Tottenham. Financially, or at least in terms of what next, it would mean much more to United.

But is this one other extreme to be skewed by this season, in the same way we have seen so many other droughts already ended this season.

Spurs are taking inspiration from that, and their own preparation going into this final. United are taking inspiration from their culture, and what they do.

All of this comes together at the brilliant San Mames stadium, before going in vastly different directions. It is going to be charged, for a night of extremes.