FourFourTwo

Ange Postecoglou delivered Tottenham Hotspur’s first trophy in 17 years, yet he could still face the sack.

Journalist David Ornstein believes it’s “most likely” Spurs will relieve the Australian of his duties, despite his success in the Europa League.

But not everyone, including some Lilywhites players, believes that’s the right call.

Tottenham Hotspur players back Ange Postecoglou

Daniel Levy could still pull the trigger this summer on Postecoglou’s time at Tottenham and, in fairness, with 21 Premier League losses to their name this term, it would be with substantial justification.

That decision, however, may have an impact in the dressing room, after key players like Son Heung-min and Guglielmo Vicario chimed in to offer their boss strong words of support.

Son said: “He won the trophy. Nobody else did it. So, look, it's not up to me or the players, but we just have to look at the facts. At the fact that we hadn't won in 17 years, but this is the day we finally won it.”

Gloveman Vicario backed up his captain in offering support for Postecoglou, showering praise on the head coach for delivering the trophy.

"Yeah, of course. He's my gaffer. He's the person who decided to bring me to this club,” the goalkeeper said. “I'm very happy for him, for what we achieved altogether. It's a brilliant night, he deserves this a lot.

"He was the first to start to believe in something special, and we did it. It's unbelievable."

In FourFourTwo’s opinion, while the end of the season for Spurs will, quite rightly, focus on their long-awaited trophy success, it’s an inescapable fact that Postecoglou has suffered 21 losses in the league this season.

He’s already in his second season, approaching the point where you’d expect him to be getting a good handle on the squad and, from a domestic perspective at least, the trajectory does not look positive.

Levy may have lessons to learn from Manchester United last season, who kept Erik ten Hag on following his FA Cup triumph, before having to sever ties just a few months into the season, at significant expense both financially and on the pitch.

Decision-makers like Levy earn their crust getting important calls like this one right; he has plenty of deliberating to do.

Tottenham will play in their second European final in the last six years against Manchester United in Bilbao.

Ange Postecoglou's Spurs have battled their way to the city in northern Spain and have given their incredibly below-par season a shot at redemption, with a trophy and Champions League qualification.

Curiously, Tottenham will wear all white shirts, socks and shorts against Manchester United, a change they make for all European ties, but why do they do it?

Why do Tottenham wear all white in Europe?

The tradition dates all the way back to 1961 and the clubs first ever European game against Polish side Gornik Zabrze.

Folklore suggests it was the decision of legendary manager Bill Nicholson, who is ranked at no.35 in FourFourTwo's list of the greatest managers ever. Back in those days, managers had final decision over everything, from kit colour and design.

Rumour has it, that when Tottenham played in white for the first time it was to mimic European giants Real Madrid, who had won just the first five instalments of the European Cup which started in 1955.

Unfortunately, the story is far less glamours than that.

Spurs had actually been experimenting with kit colours for a while, especially on floodlit pitches. The reason for doing so was increased visibility, as almost 85 years ago, the floodlights weren't quite the same as they are now. Shocking, we know.

The first experiment with all white came in 1956 when they switched for a floodlit friendly against Racing Club de Paris, in which they also wore shirst made of a reflective material called Rayon.

The kit was binned after a few games due to it being quite hot and uncomfortable for the players, although it was trialled in 1958 in an amber colour-way.

The idea of white shorts persisted however, and was trialled several times over the following years in midweek games, often played in the evening on floodlit pitches.

So whilst the story of mimicking Real Madrid may be more romantic in football terms, the real reason Spurs wear all white was due to trying to maximise player performance.

Now there is probably no need, however it is nice that Spurs carry on the tradition as they look to write more European history.

As Tottenham prepare for one of the biggest games in their recent history work is being done behind the scenes to ensue the events of this season aren't repeated.

Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham have lost 21 Premier League games this term and sit 17th, in the Premier League, with 41 points the maximum they can make this season.

Whilst they have been on the wrong end of luck when it comes to injuries, several first-team players have significantly underperformed, and it needs to be addressed heading into the next campaign.

Tottenham join Nottingham Forest in battle for 'next Desire Doue'

Whilst Tottenham have scored plenty of goals, it would be generous to say that their attackers have been in outstanding form.

Brennan Johnson is their top scorer across all competitons with 17 goals, whilst last summers big money signing Dominic Solanke has managed to find the net just 15 times. Reinforcements are needed should they wish to take a crack at the Champions League places next season.

Movement is already being made, with French outlet L'Equipe reporting that they have made a move for Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche.

Akliouche broke into the Monaco first team in the 2023/24 season and established himself this season, playing 32 times in the league, scoring five goals and providing 10 assists.

Tottenham have reportedly joined Nottingham Forest in active discussions over the player, after Manchester City and Liverpool both made enquiries over the player

PSG sniffed around the attacker last season, ultimately making a move for Desire Doue, and are rumoured to be interested in making a move again this time.

His current market value stands at €40 million according to Transfermarkt, while Monaco are asking for €60 million to make a move possible.

Manchester United face Tottenham Hotspur in an all-English Europa League final at 20:00 on 21 May at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao.

Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou are both under severe pressure, with Manchester United and Spurs 16th and 17th in the league, respectively, meaning the Europa League is the last chance to salvage disappointing seasons.

For those fans who can’t make it to Bilbao and neutrals, the news that Roy Keane has landed a new punditry job for the final could decide which TV channel to watch on.

Roy Keane will be a pundit on CBS

Keane has been a regular pundit for Sky Sports and ITV Sport across the years, offering a mix of entertaining tirades, often aimed at his former club, and expert analysis.

But he will be joining the CBS Sports punditry team alongside usual favourites Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards, in what will surely be an eventful watch.

CBS have also announced that Anita Jones will be presenting the coverage whilst Keane’s ex-teammate Peter Schmeichel will be working as a pitchside reporter along with Guillem Balague.

Commentator legend Clive Tyldesley will be talking viewers through the match, with former England international Rob Green alongside him.

Keane, who ranked at No.6 in FourFourTwo's list of the best Premier League midfielders of all time, made 480 appearances for Manchester United, winning seven Premier League titles and a Champions League, yet he may have a difficult choice if he is asked who he’d like to win in the Europa League final.

That’s because Keane has admitted to having a soft spot for Tottenham, saying to Ian Wright on the Stick to Football podcast, “I am a Spurs fan. I played for Man United, but Spurs are my team”.

Back in 2015, Keane also admitted that “just because I played for Manchester United didn't mean I was a fan of the team”.

He added: “When I played for Rockmount, one of my teammates' fathers used to bring me to training and he supported Tottenham.

“That's where it started, I liked their players, the likes of Glenn Hoddle and Clive Allen. But after I'd come back from a trial at Nottingham Forest, Spurs offered me a trial.

“I had a soft spot for Spurs, and still do.”

Watch Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur for a dramatic showdown in the final of the Europa League on Wednesday, May 21, with all the details here on broadcasters, live streams, and how to watch online or on TV from anywhere.

Key information

• Manchester United vs Spurs Date: Wednesday, May 21

• Manchester United vs Spurs Kick-off time: 8pm BST / 3pm ET

• Manchester United vs Spurs Venue: Estadio de San Mamés, Bilbao, Spain

• Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao Free stream: Discovery+ (UK),Auvio (Belgium)

• Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao TV & streaming: TNT Sports, Discovery+ (UK) | Paramount+ (US)

• Watch from anywhere: Try NordVPN risk-free

Can I watch Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur for free?

Yes! You can watch Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final for free, if you're in the UK, thanks to Discovery+.

Discovery+ is the streaming platform for TNT Sports, which usually puts its European football behind a subscription paywall, but is swinging the doors open not just for the Europa League final but also the Champions League final and Conference League final.

To access the Europa League final free live stream, you have to register an account but you'll be able to watch United vs Spurs without having to take out a subscription (usually £30.99 a month).

Coverage is geo-restricted, so if you're away from the UK, you'll have to use a VPN to get your usual coverage – more on that below.

How to watch the Europa League final from anywhere

What if you're away from home for Manchester United vs Spurs in the Europa League final, and your usual streaming service is geo-restricted? Well, there is a neat solution. A VPN - or Virtual Private Network - is a piece of software that sets your IP address to make your device appear to be in any country in the world.

Provided it complies with your broadcaster’s T&Cs, you can use a VPN to unblock the streaming services you subscribe to, and it also comes with added internet security benefits.

FourFourTwo’s colleagues TechRadar are experts in this field, and they reckon NordVPN is the best VPN provider on the market.

Watch Manchester United vs Spurs in the UK

In the UK, you can watch Manchester United vs Spurs in the Europa League final on TNT Sports and Discovery+.

On TV, the game will air on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate, with coverage starting at 6pm BST ahead of the 8pm kick-off. For those streaming online, coverage on Discovery+ starts at the same time.

Watch Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur in the US

Fans in the US can watch the Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur on Paramount+ on Wednesday.

► Manchester United report: Sporting director confirms 'constant' talks to sign flop

Where else can I watch Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur?

Canada: DAZN

Australia: Stan Sport

Given the clubs on his resume, it perhaps shouldn’t have come as a huge surprise to Aston Villa supporters that Marco Asensio had quality and talent.

However, they have still become rather enamoured with Asensio than perhaps they even realised: the former Real Madrid attacker has shown flashes of brilliance for the club since arriving on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in January.

His return of eight goals and five assists across the Premier League, Ligue 1 and Champions League is decent given he has made only 17 starts in total across the competitions.

Marco Asensio has a conundrum to solve – and Aston Villa might be the answer

Technical players who can find space between the lines and play clever through balls have not always found Aston Villa the easiest of places to ply their trade. Previous managers Dean Smith and Steven Gerrard both failed to get consistency from Philippe Coutinho (the third-most expensive player of all time) and Emi Buendia, with both still contracted to the club.

The two South Americans would happily be offloaded this summer if the right suitors came forward, which would leave room for a player of Asensio’s ilk. When asked in March whether he would like to keep the player, manager Unai Emery replied, “It depends.”

This seems to be conditional on not only paying the right price for him, but also if they can sell others to create funds. The club are adamant that the future of their players this summer has yet to be decided, despite the emotional reaction from some in their final home game of the season.

Behind the lone striker in Emery’s usual 4-2-3-1, his counter-attacking unit utilises directness in wide positions with a defensive work rate. The tactician normally opts for a traditional box-to-box midfielder on one side in the form of either John McGinn or Jacob Ramsey, and then a natural winger or forward on the other, such as a Marcus Rashford or Donyell Malen.

His attacking players generally offer either pace, athleticism, power or physicality, and in the case of Morgan Rodgers, all the aforementioned qualities. Rodgers has also operated centrally during this campaign, but Asensio still has a rare combination of attributes for this squad.

In the absence of Youri Tielemans against Tottenham Hotspur on Friday night – ranked at no.23 in FourFourTwo's list of the best Premier League players of the season– the Mallorca-born attacker was able to produce the spark. When Villa struggle to find rhythm and creativity, he can unlock defences in a similar manner to the midfielder.

The number of passes he made against Spurs was almost twice as many as his average for the season because Ange Postecoglou’s men simply sat back and aimed to soak up the pressure. Against opposition teams that defend deep, allowing Villa more possession, Asensio has the ability to break down the low block and pick out the strikers that are running in-behind.

sensio also has an acceleration that can take him past his opponents, while he can find space in congested areas. His versatility across the whole of the front is another asset, although in recent years he appears more comfortable ahead of the midfield.

In his early twenties, he was used as a winger. At Espanyol, he played primarily on the right-hand side, where he would cut inside onto his favoured left foot. The season after back at Madrid, he would provide cover for Cristiano Ronaldo on the left under the management of Zinedine Zidane.

As a now no.10, Asensio doesn’t appear as suited to Luis Enrique’s 4-3-3 system at PSG, whilst they have also made a shift towards a more youthful attack. The arrival of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the French capital limits his game time even further.

Asensio isn’t exactly a ‘Galactico’ and is too big a star for sides such as Real Mallorca and Espanyol currently. The 29-year-old has struggled to find a club that fits his stature throughout his career, and Villa provides the perfect platform.

He has just 12 months remaining on his deal with PSG and has settled well in England. Villa may have chosen not to take an option to buy clause in their original deal but will surely be looking to find a way to make it happen this summer.

Manchester United have previously found success in domestic and European cup competitions as a route to redemption when all else falters.

Former striker Brian McClair is hoping that will be the case again ahead of his struggling former club's Europa League final showdown with Tottenham Hotspur.

For McClair, comparisons between Ruben Amorim’s inconsistent Man United side and the team he was part of in the early 1990s are easily drawn.

'Manchester United's record in Europe has something to do with the club and its history'

“I can understand comparisons between this current Manchester United team and our 1991 Cup Winners’ Cup winning team with regard to not having the best domestic campaign and still reaching a European final,” McClair tells FourFourTwo, speaking on behalf of betting experts Gambling.com ahead of the Europa League final, reflecting on the iconic 1991 triumph over Barcelona in Rotterdam that helped kick-start the glory days under Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford.

“It is very hard to really compare teams from different eras,” continues McClair. “We don’t have the same level of information, TV coverage or stats and things for bygone eras that we do now. But even still, some of those comparisons have to be considered fair.”

Indeed, United’s 1990/91 campaign was hardly vintage from a domestic standpoint. Ferguson’s side, reeling from a run of 11 league games without a win the previous season, finished sixth in the league, were knocked out of the FA Cup in the Fifth Round and lost the League Cup final against Sheffield Wednesday.

Yet, on the continent, they found salvation.

“You have to remember that British clubs were only just then allowed back into European competition after the ban [following the Heysel Stadium Disaster],” recalls McClair. “So it was a wonderful experience to be part of that, let alone winning the competition.”

That victory helped pave the way for the next two decades of domestic and continental success that followed. McClair believes that the same ‘big game’ resilience and late-game belief still lurk within the club’s DNA, despite recent league mediocrity.

“I think that has something to do with the club and its history. Of being really good in tight games, scoring late goals and having that belief that you can beat any team on your day,” he says.

That belief will be needed against Spurs. McClair believes the outcome of the Europa League final doesn’t just determine silverware, but could also shape the direction of United’s summer and beyond.

“There are two scenarios for Manchester United with regards to recruitment this summer,” says McClair. “One is no European football, which will happen if they don't win the game. And two is obviously with European football.

“It’s going to be a lot easier for Manchester United to bring in quality players with the added attraction of Champions League football, so the result of this game goes beyond silverware. It could have bigger ramifications for the winners and the losers.”

Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United will go head-to-head in the Europa League final later this month with more than just the prestigious trophy on the line.

Ange Postecoglou's Spurs beat Bodo-Glimt 5-1 on aggregate while Ruben Amorim's United eased past Athletic Club with a 7-1 victory across the two legs.

That has teed up a meeting between the two Premier League clubs, with the winners not just getting to celebrate with the cup, but earning themselves a Champions League place for next season to take England's complement of clubs to six.

When is the Europa League final?

The Europa League final is set to be held on Wednesday, May 21 in a 8pm BST kick-off (9pm CEST).

The game therefore falls in between the last two games of the Premier League season for both sides.

Manchester United were already set to visit Chelsea the Friday before the game, prompting Tottenham to ask for their trip to Aston Villa to be moved to match - a request the Premier League granted.

Spurs will then host Brighton on the final day - the Sunday after the final - while Man United are at home to Villa.

Where is the Europa League final?

Bilbao's San Mames - home to Athletic Club - will host the final.

The much-admired stadium in the Basque Country was awarded the final in interesting circumstances: it was originally slated as one of the grounds to be used at Euro 2020, only to be replaced by Seville's Estadio de La Cartuja for covid-related reasons.

As a consolation, it was announced that San Mames would host both the 2024 Women's Champions League final and this year's Europa League final.

Why can't the Europa League final just be moved to England?

The host stadium for each of UEFA's competitions is decided years in advance following a year-long bidding process and does not change bar some unforeseen catastrophe - regardless which sides make it to the final.

In this instance, Bilbao was awarded the final in 2021 after the Euro 2020 withdrawal.

It was announced in 2024 that next year's Europa League final will be held at Besiktas Stadium in Istanbul and the 2027 Europa League final will be hosted by Frankfurt's Waldstadion.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero is reportedly set to leave the club this summer.

Romero, 27, is trying to help the Lilywhites salvage their season with a huge Europa League semi-final second leg against Bodo/Glimt approaching this week. Ange Postecoglou's side currently leads 3-0 heading into Thursday's clash in Norway.

But Romero's future seems to be causing some discussion as we approach the summer transfer window, with the former Atalanta man recently insisting he would love to play in La Liga.

Cristian Romero set to leave Tottenham Hotspur after four years

At just 27, Romero is a good age for a central defender and has shown some flashes of brilliance during his time in north London thus far. He is currently recognised by FourFourTwo in our list of the best centre-backs in the world.

But with Tottenham's Premier League campaign this season dismal to say the very least, Postecoglou could soon be on his way out of the club, and Romero's future could also be a heavily debated topic.

Spanish journalist Ruben Uria has said on his Twitch stream that Romero has given his agreement to a five-year deal at Atletico Madrid, with publication AS claiming that the defender will push for a move at the end of the season.

Atleti are currently 3rd in La Liga, so the lure of Champions League football could be a nice dangling carrot for Romero. Transfermarkt value the Argentine defender at €55m (£46.7m).

The report says Tottenham are holding out for close to £58m for the former Atalanta man, who could link up with his international team-mate Julian Alvarez, after he left Manchester City for Spain last summer.

Atletico Madrid are expected to start formal negotiations with Tottenham in the coming days but Spurs will not begin talks until after their vital Europa League campaign has drawn to a close.

In FourFourTwo's view, Romero would be a huge coup for Atletico this summer, but Tottenham will not want the centre-back to leave for cheap. We expect Daniel Levy to drive a hard bargain, given he is under contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium until 2027.

It took a brave man to antagonise the likes of Billy Bremner and company at Leeds United in the 1970s.

But former Rangers midfielder Alfie Conn was not your run-of-the-mill player and when he arrived at Tottenham in 1974, it soon became clear that Spurs had someone special in their ranks.

His full debut in January 1975 couldn’t have gone better. Away to Newcastle and needing a win, Spurs were 4-0 up by half-time and ended up winning 5-2, Conn scoring a hat-trick. “My dad and grandad came down from Glasgow and I went back up with them afterwards,” he recalls to FourFourTwo.

The day Alfie Conn antagonised Leeds United

“We all had a few drinks on the train trip back. When the ticket inspector came round, my grandad said we were celebrating my hat-trick and then ended up taking over his duties!”

Conn soon established himself as a fans’ favourite, taking over the King of White Hart Lane honour from Alan Gilzean. “I couldn’t believe it the first time I heard it – that sort of thing makes your chest stick out,” he says. “I got on great with the fans. I still think of Tottenham as my club.”

But a run of eight defeats from nine during the run-in meant that Spurs needed to win their final game of the season to survive. That game was against reigning champions Leeds United, who had just seen off Barcelona to reach the final of the European Cup and had almost signed Conn as a teenager.

Jimmy Armfield’s men will have wished they did, as Conn pulled the strings and was the architect of three Spurs goals that put the hosts in control of the match.

Then he sat on the ball to taunt Bremner, Hunter & Co. What was going through his mind?

“Nothing!” he chuckles. “I don’t know why I did that. But as soon as I looked round and saw big Pat Jennings shaking his head, I thought, ‘What have I done?’

“The Leeds players suddenly turned it on. It was a relegation battle for us and I could have been the villain rather than the hero. Luckily we won 4-2 [Conn scored the fourth] and stayed up.

“I thought I’d better apologise to the Leeds players,” he adds. And how was that received?

“I don’t know – I popped my head around the dressing room door, said, ‘Sorry, lads’ and got out as quickly as I could!”

‘What’s It All About? The Alfie Conn Story’ by Jeff Holmes is available now