Football London

The big day has arrived - it's UEFA Europa League final day.

Tottenham have been gearing up for this day for the last two weeks, having beaten Bodo/Glimt in the semi-final. You could argue Spurs have been gearing up for this day for the last 17 years - the last time the Lilywhites lifted a trophy.

San Mames in Bilbao is the venue as Spurs take on Manchester United with not only a trophy up for grabs but a place in next season's Champions League to boot.

United were given something of a boost on Tuesday when Joshua Zirkzee, Diogo Dalot and Leny Yoro were all spotted in training for the match. There had been doubts over all three's participation in the final in Bilbao.

Tottenham have not been quite so lucky, however.

Five players will definitely miss the game through injury, while three more will miss out due not not being registered to play in the Europa League knockout stages.

Let's start with the unregistered players. UEFA rules allow three changes to be made to squads mid-season, to incorporate new signings in the January transfer window.

Mathys Tel, Djed Spence and Kevin Danso were chosen, with three players - Fraser Forster, Timo Werner and Radu Dragusin dropping out. New signing Antonin Kinsky was not registered, while Dragusin also fits into the injured category.

Spurs will also be without midfielders James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Lucas Bergvall, all of whom have been ruled out with injuries.

Meanwhile young striker Dane Scarlett, who scored in the 3-0 win over Elsfborg in the league phase, is also out with a groin injury.

Tottenham have taken their entire squad out to Bilbao, however, with every player involved in the competition part of the group to travel to Spain.

The day has finally come with Tottenham set to take on Manchester United in the Europa League final this evening (8pm kick-off).

The sides will meet at San Mames in Bilbao after Spurs overcame Bodo/Glimt and United defeated Athletic Bilbao in the semi-final. Both teams have struggled domestically this season, but United remain unbeaten in the competition.

The winner will earn a spot in next season's Champions League.

Spurs have been searching for silverware for the past 17 years, while United last won a major European trophy in 2017 - the Europa League under Jose Mourinho.

Ange Postecoglou will be without some key players for the final, and here, football.london takes a look at the latest state of play.

Dejan Kulusevski

Injury: Knee.

What Ange Postecogloy has said: "He has had surgery and it will put him out for at least a few months."

Possible return date: Next season.

James Maddison

Injury: Knee.

What Postecoglou has said:"Madders from the first leg, so he's out. He'll miss the rest of this season and it’s disappointing for him. I'm disappointed for him because he's been a real catalyst for us. He'll miss out but that's been the story of our season."

Possible return date: Next season.

Lucas Bergvall

Injury: Ankle.

What Postecoglou has said: "It’s not helpful. Some of it is just to protect the players themselves. You can imagine, Lucas was devastated. He didn’t want to deal with it and we didn’t want to make it public, not as much about the opposition but to give him the time to process it.

"He’s a young man. He had such a high in the week, he had signed a new deal, he was playing well, his whole family was out here looking forward to the game. We wanted to protect him more than anything else, but those kinds of levels of decency and respect don’t exist anymore.

"No, Lucas isn’t available."

Possible return date: June/July 2025.

Radu Dragusin

Injury: ACL.

What Postecoglou said in February: "Radu underwent surgery today following his ACL injury. That procedure has now been completed, and the centre-back will now commence with his recovery before beginning the rehab process."

Possible return date: Unknown.

Timo Werner

Injury: Hamstring.

What Postecoglou said earlier this month: "He has a hamstring injury."

Possible return date: June/July 2025.

Dane Scarlett

Injury: Groin.

What Postecoglou has said: "Dane has had an operation, he was carrying a groin injury all year, and we decided to get the operation done so he's ready for pre-season."

Possible return date:Pre-season.

If you're a Tottenham Hotspur supporter on a European trip this season then you have probably bumped into Mr and Mrs Vicario, perhaps without even realising it.

Monica and Michele Vicario, the parents of Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo, have become celebrities somewhat within the north London club's fanbase due to their passion for their son's team.

football.london bumped into the Vicarios out in Bodo, while eating breakfast at the same hotel ahead of the Europa League semi-final second leg. and it's easy to see why the Italian duo have become so popular within the fanbase.

Both are warm people, Monica the more outgoing of the pair with those classic Italian hand gestures and an affectionate way of communicating as if she's known you for decades. She spoke at a Q&A at the stadium this season with her son to mark one year of the Women of the Lane supporters' group.

Her husband Michele is quieter, if no less pleasant, just happy to let his wife, with her better grasp of English, take centre stage.

Both are fiercely proud of their son and what he has achieved as he risen up the football ladder, from the lower leagues of Italian football to his Premier League move and then making his international bow for his country.

What has particularly endeared them to Tottenham supporters on these away trips, both in Europe and in the UK, is that the Vicarios throw themselves into it wholeheartedly, wearing Spurs scarves, shouting at matches and often heard to sign off conversations with "Up the Spurs!" accompanied by a big grin.

When football.london asked Vicario whether he was aware that his parents have become celebrities amongst the Spurs fanbase, the 28-year-old gave a little smile and suddenly had the air of a slightly embarrassed child.

"Unfortunately, yes, but no I am happy for them. They are enjoying this moment, they are enjoying this part of their life after 40 years of working. Now they can enjoy and now is my turn to work. They can chill and they can relax," he said.

"They have been there every time [throughout my career], they try to follow as many games as they can. They love football, my Mum as well, so yeah it is a big part of their life trying to see a lot of cities around Europe, around the UK and see as many stadiums as they can and just to try create memories for them and to share with friends."

While that little pang of embarrassment was mostly feigned, Vicario clearly feels he owes a lot to his parents as he stands on the brink of a European final.

"The biggest thing they did was to never put pressure on me on over what I had to choose to do in my life," he said. "It was just to try to find a way you can fit in and this is the biggest gift that they never have been those kind of parents that when you are a young kid of seven-years-old thinking ‘yes, my son will be the next Buffon or next Neuer'. This has been the biggest gift they gave me."

Ahead of the big match in Bilbao against Manchester United, Vicario admitted that he does have to pinch himself at times when he looks over his journey in the sport.

"I cannot be more proud of what my journey has been until this point. Now it is just about trying to finalise the last step we have," he explained. "When I signed for this football club, to imagine about 22 months later I would have the opportunity to play a European final, it is something I am very grateful for. Of course the hard work has been put in, so I am very glad about that."

Italian international goalkeepers will feature in both the Europa League and Champions League finals this month, with Gianluigi Donnarumma set to turn out for PSG against Inter Milan.

Vicario revealed that he has been in constant contact with his compatriot, although he will have split loyalties for that final.

"Oh I texted him many times to be fair, especially the last week and over the last two legs in the semi-final," he said with a smile. "I was very happy for him for the result he achieved.

"Now it is a tricky one in the final of the Champions League because I have my mates from the national team of Inter Milan on one side and him on the other side. I don’t know who I will support."

The main focus for Vicario is Tottenham though and the chance to end a 17-year wait for a trophy at the club, with 41 years passing since they last lifted a piece of European silverware.

"It would be massive for the players, for the staff and especially for the fans. We know we can create history for this football club," said the goalkeeper. "We know that probably next year when we walk through the corridors into the dressing room we will see some photos of us lifting that trophy, but now it is not certain, so we have to keep working as best we can to try to arrive on the day as ready as we can to create history."

Vicario's journey this season came with the added pain of a fractured foot, suffered in a collision with Savinho in the 4-0 victory at Manchester City. That the injury occurred in the first half and the Italian played on for the rest of the game and kept a clean sheet said plenty about his character.

"To be fair I didn’t think about a bone broken in my ankle, it was just we were 2-0 up at the Etihad and the opportunity to keep a clean sheet in that stadium is a memory you can always have in the back of your mind," he admitted.

"So, it was an aim I had to continue and to keep going. I felt it to be fair but I didn’t think [it was a broken bone], maybe a ligament or something you can carry on with. Unfortunately it was a big mistake to play on. We won a big game, I kept a clean sheet but it was also one of the best and one of the worst days of my life."

Now Vicario finds himself in a European final after working hard at his recovery, returning far earlier than expected after a couple of months.

"You always try to get yourself in a better place, the safest place and of course the injury has been a big deal for me, a big part of my season this year, but I try to take it in a good way to try to help the team when I was back," he said.

"To live this kind of moment and to win a semi-final of a European competition to go into a final, it was of course a big aim for myself to try to arrive in May and have the opportunity to play this kind of game."

Vicario has become a key man at the club, having been incorporated this season into the squad's leadership group with captain Son Heung-min and vice-captains Cristian Romero and James Maddison. With a young Tottenham team set to take to the turf against United, the Italian's actions as much as his voice will be required in Bilbao.

"It is just to try to lead them because I think words can sometimes, you speak a lot but it is the way you act. In the way you behave in the dressing room, or during training and being the first to go to the gym and last to go away from the training ground on a daily basis is a good commitment because people can see how committed you are and how much you embrace the challenge," he said.

"I think that is a big part of my journey, of my life and then try to just give them the best example of how to behave on the pitch, off the pitch and try to be the best human being you can be."

It's clear where the Tottenham goalkeeper gets that attitude from and the Vicarios will hopefully be celebrating with the fans on Wednesday night in Bilbao. If you hear someone enthusiastically exclaiming 'Up the Spurs', then you know they are close.

Tottenham Hotspur's key midfielder James Maddison has shared a post of himself in Bilbao as his team prepare to face Manchester United in the Europa League final.

Maddison has done well for Ange Postecoglou in a season that has been incredibly disappointing for the north London club. He has registered 12 goals and 11 assists in all competitions which included the winner against United in the Premier League back in February.

The former Leicester City man has flown out to the Basque Country with his teammates and shared a post from the club's official social media account of himself in Spain. "Taking it all in," was the caption from Tottenham.

However, Maddison's return from injury will not come before the Europa League final on Wednesday night. Despite being pictured with Postecoglou pitchside during their training session at the San Mames Stadium, the England international will not be in the squad.

Confirming his absence from the game 11 days ago, Maddison posted on social media: "Gutted. Just absolutely gutted.

"We’ve had our sights on that European final in Bilbao from day one of this campaign. So to accept not being able to take part out on that pitch with the boys is really tough to take.

"Injuries are just part of this game that can be so cruel at times. But I truly believe that it can be a special night for my football club.

"Bring on the 21st. All together."

Maddison is in Bilbao to provide moral support for his teammates and his injury return will not come until after the season has come to an end.

Tottenham captain Son Heung-min spoke to the media in Bilbao on Tuesday ahead of the Europa League final between Tottenham and Manchester United.

The Spurs skipper will take on his second European final with the club, having lost the 2019 Champions League final to Liverpool and he spoke in Bilbao about the experiences of that night in Madrid, what still upsets him to this day and how he is different to the player who took to the pitch that day.

Son also spoke about a special barbecue organised by Cristian Romero, Rodrigo Bentancur and Richarlison at Tottenham's Hotspur Way training complex ahead of the final, an event that brought the players even closer together before the big match. The South Korean star was also asked about his future at the north London club.

Our Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold was among those putting the questions to Son and here's a full transcript from the press conference in Bilbao.

Ten years now at Tottenham, what would it mean to you on a personal level if you were to go up and lift that trophy tomorrow night?

It will be very special and it will be obviously a historic moment. I've been here for 10 years and I just wanted to win the trophy which nobody has done during my time here during those 10 years.

Tomorrow is going to be a massive day for obviously the club first of all, and for the boys and obviously for me as well.

The South American players organised a barbecue at the training ground and Ange was keen that you all went, how important was that for team bonding ahead of the final?

It was very important that everybody was together, having a good time, spending time together and just talking about their lives and it felt like we were getting even closer, you know, but I mean, especially this season, which has been such a tough season, but we've been always together, we stuck together and that's why we are here. So I think one last step left, so we've got to make it.

The Korean fans will be supporting you at 4am in the morning when this match kicks off so do you have any special message for the Korean fans?

I really appreciate that they are supporting me or us, in the morning time, in the night-time, late night time or early night time. They are always here and then they're always supporting us and as I say all the time that I want to give, give them something back and tomorrow I hope I can give some of my smile and then the trophy and the historic moment that we'll never, never forget. I hope we can enjoy it together and celebrate it together.

How are you feeling in terms of your fitness and how close do you feel to peak sharpness? Can you play for the full 90 minutes if necessary?

I'm ready. I'm obviously back from injury and it was my first game against Crystal Palace and then I played against Villa around 70 minutes, which I didn't expect to play that long, but I was managing to play.

Physically I'm ready, ready to go, and also the boys are ready to go for the biggest game of the season.

You're the only survivor from the starting Tottenham team from the Champions League final, how much can you use the pain of that defeat to make sure that you get a better outcome in this final?

Ben Davies is still here, so don't forget about his commitment and his work rate. It's going to be a huge, huge moment for both of us and also for the boys if we win it. As we always say, the first step is going to be really hard, but if you win that trophy, we can change the mentality, we can change the history and hopefully we can continue to compete for another trophy.

Have you spoken to Harry Kane about tomorrow's final?

Obviously, everybody knows Harry is my best mate, and also it was a huge honour playing alongside him, but after he won the first title, we had a chat about his trophy, but yeah, I mean, he's already on holiday, so he won't want to text me. He doesn't have to text me.

So I just concentrate, myself with the boys and obviously Harry will be biggest Spurs fan tomorrow. I'm definitely sure that he'll be supporting us from holiday.

How important to avoid a bad start like in 2019?

I still don’t think it was handball! We can’t change it. Every game is the same, the first 15 minutes are hugely important to get a game tempo, game rhythm, it’s hugely important. I will especially mention to the boys that it’s important we start well to get our confidence.

You've faced Man United three times, now in a final – does it feel the same or is it special?

Obviously it is special. It doesn’t matter who we play against, it is a special stage, a special tournament and to reach the final, it has never been free. Yeah, it’s going to be a special game, a very tough game, a very difficult game but we just have to do our things, concentrate on ourselves and we’ll see what happens.

You only have a year left on your contract, do you feel like this is now-or-never for yourself to win that trophy at Tottenham?

The future, we never know, the future, we never know. We could play next year Champions League or we could play, I don’t know we might play in a final. We never know. The chance what I have now is real. It is a fact tomorrow is a final and the Europa League final. I will not think about anything else. It could be my last change or another chance, but I just want to concentrate on tomorrow, on winning and lifting the trophy with the boys.

What are the differences to 2019?

Six years ago, I played my first final in professional level and it was very nervous moments and very exciting moments. But I was very nervous and couldn’t believe I was in the Champions League final. Six years after, obviously, I’m a grown man and experienced and want to prepare in my way, calm.

There have been changes, so many years, so many different players, and also my role has changed from just a player to the captain of the club, leader of the boys and I just want to help the boys to lift it together. That is my dream.

Is it easy to forget about doubts after losing so many games in the Premier League?

Yeah, in the league, definitely where we are now obviously is unacceptable but don’t want to think about now that things are not good. It is not the right time to think about it. As I said we are here and reaching the final, you have to beat some good teams as well. You have to travel to away games, have to make difficult games, you have to be disciplined and you have to have belief in yourself, which we did and that’s why we are in the final. We can change the bad season in the league with a trophy and Spurs are just missing the trophy. Some seasons we have been outstanding, we have been in the Champions League, we were finishing second but still we were missing something. This year we can change that, so tomorrow, I hope we can change that.

Have you said anything special to the team?

I mean I don’t need to motivate them because it’s a final and everybody will know how important that is. Everybody will be there to get excited. It will be just telling them we need to be together, to stay calm, to do the right things and the game will be in our hands. Obviously still haven’t talked to the boys to get more motivation, but I will definitely talk to the boys about my experience, real experiences and we will see what is going to happen in tomorrow’s final.

There is the possibility Ange Postecoglou switches things up slightly when it comes to his Tottenham team for the Europa League final. After a long campaign in Europe after kicking things off back in September, Spurs will go head-to-head with Manchester United in Bilbao on Wednesday evening for the famous trophy.

As has been the case across the whole season, the Australian has a couple of injuries to deal with ahead of the biggest game of his Tottenham tenure. Influential duo James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are in no position to play and the same goes for Lucas Bergvall.

Given that we have seen Tottenham's midfield options limited over the past couple of weeks due to the latest batch of injuries to hit the club, it could possibly lead to Postecoglou changing his formation for the match at San Mames Stadium. So what exactly could he do? football.london takes a look below.

There are question marks over whether Postecoglou will stick with a 4-3-3 formation given he has lost midfielders Bergvall, Maddison and Kulusevski recently. The boss still has options to continue with his preferred setup and it may be Pape Matar Sarr who profits if that is the case.

The Senegalese ace would join Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma in the middle of the park and give Tottenham bundles of energy in the middle. He has also enjoyed his previous outings against Man Utd and that may work in Postecoglou's favour.

If Sarr is to come in then it could be bad news for one of Richarlison or Son Heung-min on the left-wing. The Spurs captain has proved his fitness levels in the past two games but Postecoglou's past two team selections seem to indicate that he is saving Richarlison for the final.

One way to accommodate both Richarlison and Son in the starting XI would be to go with a 4-4-2 formation. That way Son could operate from the left flank and the Brazilian start alongside Dominic Solanke in attack.

Bentancur and Bissouma would be the midfield two in this scenario, with Brennan Johnson and Son either side of them. It may not be a setup we have regularly seen but Postecoglou does have the players at his disposal to start like this if he wants.

A 4-2-3-1 formation is also something for Postecoglou to consider as he has choice when it comes to the No.10 role. Going with the players named above, Solanke could drop slightly deeper and allow Richarlison to be the lone striker in the system.

If Postecoglou wants Solanke leading the line, Son could play as a No.10 and that could see one of Richarlison or Mathys Tel start from the left. We have seen Wilson Odobert at No.10 recently and he looked much brighter against Aston Villa after struggling in the Crystal Palace defeat.

Odobert is certainly a candidate for the role but it will all come down to Postecoglou's thinking.

Finally, could we see the boss select a back three for the biggest game of the season? Postecoglou went with a three-man defence at Everton in January and it unfortunately backfired with the team just not used to the system.

Kevin Danso would be the player to come in and partner Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven in this scenario, thus allowing Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie to push even higher and have more of an influence in the final third. It would then be a question of whether Postecoglou would select three in midfield and two up front or two in midfield with that extra attacking player.

Ange Postecoglou had plenty to say to the media out in Bilbao on Tuesday ahead of the Europa League final between Tottenham and Manchester United.

The two Premier League strugglers will do battle in Spain to decide who will left the trophy and capture Champions League qualification with it for next season. While United have more recent pedigree when it comes to silverware, Spurs are looking to win their first trophy in 17 years and first piece of European silverware in 41 years.

Postecoglou delivered the latest squad news on Pape Matar Sarr and Lucas Bergvall and the Australian also addressed his future at Tottenham and showed his anger towards an article in the week that had referred to him potentially being remembered as a clown-like figure if there was no Europa League triumph.

Our Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold was among those putting the questions to Postecoglou. Here's a full transcript from the press conference in Bilbao.

What's the latest team news and is Lucas Bergvall available?

Pretty much the same as last week. No, Lucas isn’t available. Same as we were as of last week.

It's your 100th game tomorrow and you spoke about the stonecutters' creed and striking the 101st blow?

Hopefully that 101 st blow is tomorrow mate and not on Sunday. It’s hard to contextualise some of the challenges of the last couple of years. From my perspective I came into the club with some pretty clear objectives about what the priorities were for the club when taking over. I’ve tried as hard as I can to stick to that process of getting the club to a position where they can challenge for trophies while at the same time rejuvenating a squad and changing a playing style. It’s been a fair assignment, with plenty of challenges along the way. It’s such a big game tomorrow there is an opportunity to fulfil at least the main task which is to bring trophies to the club.

How is Pape Matar Sarr?

He's fine mate.

The players had a bonding barbecue ahead of coming out here and apparently you were quite keen on them doing it?

Mate I’m an Aussie, I’d never say no to a barbecue. You’d never have to twist my arm. But no, it was player driven, it was a good time for them to have a relaxing afternoon. We have the luxury of a training ground with a really nice barbecue area. Unfortunately I had to fulfil my commitments with you guys so I missed the best of it. Those are the sacrifices you have to make.

What's more important, the Champions League qualification or the trophy?

It’s a great prize, the significance of Champions League qualification and what it means for every football club. There are the obvious benefits but also you get the opportunity to play against the best in the continent. But the club has been in the Champions League before. It hasn’t won a trophy for a long time. So that’s the most important thing.

Are you conscious of the infamy v legendary status if you win or lose?

That depends on your outlook, but I’ll tell you one thing: irrespective of what happens tomorrow, I’m not a clown and I never will be, mate. I’m really disappointed that you would use such terminology about a person who for 26 years without any favours from anyone has worked his way to a position where he’s leading out a club in a European major competition (final). For you to suggest that somehow us not being successful means that I’m a clown, not really sure how to answer that question.

You've beaten Manchester United three times - does that put more pressure on or make you more confident?

Neither because it’s a final and you know that those kind of things aren’t important. If we had lost all three games your question would probably be ‘do you feel the pressure because you can’t beat them’, so… What I do know, and I’ve been in this situation a few times in my career in the big games, even your form going into it, even if you’ve got terrible form… it doesn’t matter.

What matters is how the players cope with the occasion tomorrow. How they cope with understanding the importance of the game. For both clubs, you just don’t know how players are going to react to such a big occasion.

My role in that is to try to prepare the players in the best possible way and also to prepare the players for Manchester United to be at their best, and that’s what you have to prepare for. If you prepare that way, and then you go out there and play to the potential that you can, you give yourself an opportunity.

But I don’t think it really matters what you’ve done before any opposition when it comes to big games. Maybe in the league it’s a bit different. But in a final, everything gets decided on the day.

People are saying this could be your penultimate game in charge - what do you think?

Does it matter? Really? It doesn’t matter because the reality of it is the opportunity is the same, for me and more importantly for the club. I’ve said before that whatever happens beyond tomorrow is kind of irrelevant when you think about the opportunity that exists right now.

That opportunity is to provide something special for the football club and for the supporters and for everyone who has worked so hard, not just this year but for the 15, 16 years, however long it has been without a trophy and also the 41 years without a European trophy.

If I was worried about my tenure at this football club, it’s fair to say we wouldn’t have been in this position because I would have been distracted long ago. I’m pretty good at just making sure all my focus is on giving this football club the best opportunity that it’s had for a while to do something special. Whatever happens after that, mate, I’m very, very comfortable that I’ll continue on trying to win trophies wherever I am.

I want to ask you about Richarlison, what is the difference when he plays and what does the team gain? Also I heard you came to Brazil and that you became a Vasco fan?

I have to be careful about who I support because I might go and coach in Brazil one day and I might end up at, I don't know, Corinthians or something and it will cause me problems.

Richy, so pleased for him because he's had a tough time, Richy, not just this year, but since he's been at Tottenham. He's had some injury problems, he's never really had a stretch of games and it's been very tough on him, both physically but also emotionally, but he's in a really good place now. Physically he's worked really hard on his fitness and he plays with so much passion and determination.

Every time he plays, he just gives 100%, he has quality as well, and it's great to have him in the team. I think for us, he provides something different to our other attacking players.

He's already made a big impact for us in the Europa League and particularly in the semi-final, and I'm just really pleased for him that through all the difficult times he's had he's now in a place where he's fit, he's available, and he's excited about contributing.

And yeah, I've always loved Brazilian football. I actually played against Vasco da Gama in 1985 so every time I visited Brazil there's always an association with us.

You are the first Australian and also Greek to coach a team in a European final, how does that feel?

Yeah, I'm very proud of that because I think it's kind of what I was saying before, but just to me to be in this position where I've come from. I was born in Greece, I'm a very proud Greek. My father made sure that I understood where our roots were and what it means to be Greek, and I've carried that through my whole life.

I grew up in Australia on the other side of the world where football, unfortunately it wasn't a prominent sport, but my father, he took his love of football from Greece to Australia and he worked really, really hard, as I've said before many times, my mum and my dad, they left their home country, their family, everything they knew for their kids, you know, for me.

And I hold that dear to my heart and he's not with me today but he is with me all the time, so I feel very strongly, you know, I love being Greek, I love being in Greece, it's I think where I'll retire one day, and I love that I grew up in a country in Australia where even though football wasn't a big sport, when you grow up in Australia, you also have the attitude when it comes to sport, you'll take on anyone, it doesn't matter how big or small they are and I'm proud of my roots in both.

How big is to get Sonny back?

Yeah massive to get Sonny back. We were a little bit worried when he picked up the injury because we just weren’t sure how long he would be out for, but he worked so hard to make sure he was back. Really pleased the other night to see him play 60 to 70 minutes and you could see his sharpness coming back. He’s just so important to the group and he is so important as a leader. He is such an important figure at this football club and it’s a big motivation and driver for all of us, including me, to give him a trophy that his career deserves. Again, he is a guy who has come from the other side of the world. Not many players have come from Asian and stayed in the Premier League, the top league in the world, for so long and maintained that excellence. It would be great to cap that off with a trophy for him. He knows and we all know that we have still got to do the work. He’s been in this position before obviously in the Champions League final so he has that experience. I am sure he will pass that onto the players.

Have you had to address your future with the players as a group?

No, because I think again that would not be really help with what is before us right now. I’ve said to the lads from day one, nothing is guaranteed in life, nothing is guaranteed in sport. You just need to try and make sure you take every opportunity before you. That’s what I have done my whole career. I’ve been in this position before where the big game was the last game I managed. It’s not unusual territory for me. I have always navigated it pretty well because for me nothing is more important than my responsibility for this football club and its fans that tomorrow me, the players, our mind is only on one thing and that is to create something special.

Can you give us examples?

I qualified for a World Cup and left. Won the treble with Celtic and left. Won at Brisbane and left. It’s actually more common than you think.

The assumption is your future will be decided by the hierarchy and football club?

My future is assured, mate. I wouldn’t be the first person who changes job. We all change jobs. I am sure you’ve had more than one job. My future is assured, I have got a beautiful family, I’ve got a great life, I’ll keep on winning trophies until I finish – wherever that is. Don’t worry about my future, mate. My future is not intertwined with anything. My future is assured provided god-willing my health remains, my beautiful family is beside me, my friends, there is nothing wrong with my future, mate. Don’t stress. Sleep easy tonight. I’ll be OK.

I meant specifically at Tottenham, is there a scenario where you win the trophy and it’s job done and you walk away?

No, because I don’t think my job is done here. I really feel like we are building something and what a trophy does is hopefully accelerate that. So, I still think there is work to be done. It is quite obvious with the challenges we’ve had this year, which I think are well chronicled but there is some reasoning in the context of that, but also there has been some growth and I would like to see through. Whether that happens or not is not that important right now, but I don’t think far from it is this job finished. I certainly feel there is some growth there that we can take this club to where it needs to be.

Tottenham may be 17th in the Premier League table right now but Ange Postecoglou's side are one game away from Champions League qualification. Unable to qualify for Europe via the league table this season following such a dreadful year in N17, Spurs' potential route into Europe comes in the form of winning the Europa League final.

The north London club are now in Bilbao ahead of Wednesday evening's showdown against Manchester United at San Mames Stadium. The Red Devils themselves have also endured a disastrous league campaign, sitting one place above Spurs in the table heading into this weekend's final game of the Premier League season.

However, one of the sides will be back at the top table of European football come September with the winners of the Europa League final securing a Champions League berth in 2025/26. Whoever triumphs in Wednesday's final will automatically take their place in the 36-team league phase come September rather than having to go through qualifying to reach the main stage of the Champions League.

Liverpool and Arsenal have already qualified for the Champions League via the Premier League table, with the other three places to be confirmed come 6pm on Sunday. Others to have already secured their place in next season's competition include Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, PSG, Napoli, Inter Milan and Atalanta.

The fact that one of Tottenham or Manchester United will qualify for the Champions League despite just hovering above the Premier League relegation zone has proved to be quite the topic of discussion this month. Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger stated that neither team should be allowed to compete in the Champions League even if they win the Europa League.

Those quotes were recently put to Postecoglou and he delivered his own verdict by claiming that "Spurs do crazy things to people".

"Well, I mean that's a debate that's been raging for years, like at least the last eight days," he quipped in his pre-match press conference ahead of the semi-final second leg against Bodo/Glimt. "I've never heard that before, so.. I've said it before, mate, Spurs does crazy things to people. It does, it does.

"You put that club into any sentence or any issue, and invariably they all come out and try and diminish as much as they can. Why wasn't there an issue before and it's an issue now? What's the difference? I don't understand what the difference is.

"Last year, fifth didn't get you into the Champions League, this year it does. What does that mean? There are competition rules and the rules say that the winner goes into [the Champions League] and it's not the first year, and there isn't an asterisk against it that you have to do something else as well. But it's Spurs, mate, they love it. They love it. Oh, they love it, you love it, don't you?"

If Tottenham are to be playing in next season's edition of the Champions League, all connected with the club will discover their eight league phase opponents when the draw is made on Thursday, August 28.

Ange Postecoglou delivered a passionate response to a question about his Tottenham Hotspur future in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Europa League final against Manchester United.

Tottenham take on the Red Devils in San Mames, Bilbao on Wednesday night, aiming to claim their first piece of silverware for 17 years and their first European trophy in 41 years.

Both teams have been poor in the Premier League, but excellent in Europe to reach this stage, with Ange Postecoglou's future as the Lilywhites' head coach hanging by a thread in recent weeks.

Spurs are likely to finish 17th in the English top flight and record their worst ever Premier League campaign. But could, conversely end the season with a trophy.

There are plenty of rumours circling about the Australian's future, with many reports suggesting that, no matter what happens n San Mames, Postecoglou could depart the club.

But if he does, it will not, seemingly, be of his own accord.

Postecoglou initially admitted that leaving after a success was "more common than you think" when looking at his past.

He said: "I qualified for a World Cup and left, I won a treble with Celtic and left, won at Brisbane and left, it's actually more common than you think."

But when pressed by another journalist on his future, Postecoglou roared into life.

"My future is assured, mate, I wouldn't be the first person who changes jobs, we all change jobs," he said.

"My future is assured, I've got a beautiful family, a great life, I'll keep winning trophies until I finish, wherever that is, don't worry about my future, my future is not entwined with anything, my future is assured."

When pressed on if he could leave by resigning, however, Postecoglou was adamant.

"No, because I don't think my job is done here," he admitted. "I really feel like we're building something and what a trophy does is hopefully accelerates that.

"I still think there's a lot of work to be done. The challenges we've had this year are well chronicled, but there's been some reasoning in that and there's also been growth I'd like to see through, but whether that happens or not is not that important right now.

"I think this job is far from finished. There's some growth there to take this club where it needs to be."

Gary Neville has explained why he thinks Manchester United will win the Europa League but his honest prediction has given Tottenham some hope of triumphing in Bilbao.

While United are seeking a third trophy in as many seasons, Spurs are out to end a 17-year wait without one and the winner will also be playing Champions League football next season. That has taken some serious scrutiny in recent weeks as the two teams look set to finish in the two spots just outside the Premier League relegation zone.

As for the latest injury news, Ange Postecoglou has been handed three blows and one worry while United have suffered just one fitness setback in comparison to a triple boost.

James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Lucas Bergvall have been ruled out, though there is hope the latter can feature. Pape Matar Sarr also picked up a back issue in the Friday night defeat to Aston Villa but all of those players, minus Kulusevski, have been spotted in Bilbao.

Meanwhile in Manchester, Joshua Zirkzee, Diogo Dalot and Leny Yoro all returned to team training on Tuesday but Matthijs de Ligt was still absent and is therefore likely to miss the final.

Given the players seemingly available, United are favourites in the eyes of most with Neville appearing to agree on that. The former United defender has given two reasons as to why they should win, but he has also suggested his prediction could be way off as it was for a different final earlier in the season.

“I think United will win," he admitted on Sky Sports. "There’s some players in there - Bruno and Casemiro - who will feel that occasion and want it, need it in their lives. I agree with the belief.

"I know history is something that gets pointed towards although at the Carabao Cup final earlier this season I thought Liverpool would absolutely lift that trophy and Van Dijk would be up on that podium, and they weren’t. There’s got to be a garden against that. I do feel confident in United just getting through this game on Wednesday.”

While Neville is right about United having winners in their squad, Spurs will have a world champion in the centre of defence. Though Mathys Tel is only 20, he fully understands the mentality needed to win having spent two-and-a-half years at Bayern Munich.