Ange Postecoglou proved he is no clown by leading Tottenham to their first trophy for 17 years over the circus that is Manchester United. On the eve of the game the Spurs boss took umbrage at the depiction of him as a figure of ridicule, but had the last laugh by masterminding this win.
Big Ange invited ridicule early in the campaign by stating he always wins a trophy in his second season, but that proud boast was vindicated on a historic night in Bilbao.
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Despite leading Spurs to a memorable triumph and a coveted place in the Champions League worth up to £100million Postecoglou is set to depart at the end of the season
But if he does leave, it will be with his head held high, the Aussie manager's bruised reputation restored by this triumph, despite a shocking Premier League campaign.
For United, who failed to show up in the San Mames Stadium, there will be non European football next season for only the second time in three decades.
Ruben Amorim's side arrived in Bilbao as the only unbeaten side in major European competition this season, but that proud run came to an inglorious end.
For a European final to be contested by two such poor sides did little for the prestige of the competition. And fittingly, for two sides grubbing around near the foot of the Premier League, this showpiece event was desperately short on quality.
Spurs conjured the first chance after 10 minutes, Brennan Johnson seizing on a mix-up between Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw, Andre Onana making a smart save to keep out the winger's angled shot.
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United fans thought they had taken the lead in the 15th minute, when Amad unleashed a fierce strike, beating Guigliemo Vicario, but the ball flew inches wide of the far post.
With so much at stake for both teams and predictably, for an encounter between sides in 16th and 17th position in the Premier League, there was little flow or fluency to the game throughout.
The breakthrough goal, when it came in the 42nd minute, was scrappy and ugly, United's defence failing to deal with Pape Sarr's cross, with Shaw the main culprit.
The United defender allowed Brennan Johnson to get in front of him, the ball spinning off him and beyond Andre Onana, who flapped at it to no avail.
Tottenham's fans erupted in euphoria as Johnson wheeled away in celebration, United's players left to rue another game in which they had conceded first, the 31st time they have suffered that fate this season.
With Spurs content to sit back and protect their lead, the onus was on United to play with greater urgency and purpose, to plunder the goal they needed to get back into the game.
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But Amorim's side continued to labour, the United boss cutting an increasingly frustrated figure on the touchline, as his players failed to do themselves justice.
When Spurs did break out from their policy of containment, they were found wanting, never more so than in the 61st minute when Dominic Solanke had sight of the United goal but his first touch let him down.
United looked to have levelled in the 68th minute when Hojlund sent a looping header towards the goal with Vicario stranded, but Micky van de Ven produced an acrobatic clearance to stop the ball going over the line.
Amorim had to make changes and brought on Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee, the former making an instant impact by forcing a save from Vicario in the 74th minute, who also saved from Shaw late in added time.
But it was ultimately too little, too late, as Spurs and Postecoglou held out to secure a memorable triumph.
