Tottenham Hotspur put an end to their 17-year wait for silverware with a dramatic 1-0 victory against Manchester United in the Europa League final at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao on Wednesday, May 21.
Ange Postecoglou had previously faced criticism for his unwavering commitment to an attacking style of play, particularly following a 4-1 defeat to Chelsea in November 2023, when Spurs were reduced to nine men. While some praised his philosophy, others questioned the wisdom of not adapting his tactics.
However, in the most significant match of his tenure and the club’s recent history, Postecoglou made a tactical shift. In the Europa League final, Tottenham secured their first trophy in nearly two decades by adopting a more defensive strategy, spending the majority of the second half holding onto their slender lead.
“Ange Postecoglou has always claimed he doesn’t alter his tactics—what prompted this change?” former Tottenham midfielder Michael Brown queried on BBC Radio 5 Live. “I found myself thinking, ‘Is he really going to defend so deeply at this stage?’ He has altered his approach and achieved success.”
The victory in the Europa League not only brings Tottenham a long-awaited trophy but also secures their place in next season’s Champions League, allowing the club to celebrate this season as a success, despite their struggles in domestic competitions.
Currently, Spurs are at risk of finishing just outside the Premier League relegation zone after suffering 21 defeats in 37 league matches, with one game still to play.
This dismal form casts uncertainty over Postecoglou’s future, even in light of this Europa League triumph. It is possible that the Tottenham manager felt he had little to lose in his approach to Wednesday’s final.
Having faced Manchester United three times this season and winning each match—scoring eight goals and conceding three—Postecoglou had previously showcased his high-pressing, adventurous style of play.
However, there were signs that he was ready to adopt a more pragmatic strategy for this fourth encounter with the Red Devils. In their Europa League semi-final second leg against Bodo/Glimt, Spurs recorded just 31.6% possession, and against Manchester United, they managed only 27.7%. Both figures represent the lowest possession percentages Spurs have achieved in matches they have won under Postecoglou’s management.
