– Tottenham Hotspur finally ended their 17-year wait for silverware on Wednesday night as Brennan Johnson’s first-half strike secured a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League final at San Mames Stadium.
The win delivers long-awaited European glory for Tottenham Spurs and their under-pressure head coach Ange Postecoglou, who had promised to bring silverware to North London in his second season.
Postecoglou, who famously said he would “never be a clown” during his pre-match remarks, now joins legendary figures Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw as the only Tottenham managers to win a European trophy. He also becomes the first Australian manager to win a major European title.
Despite questions over his future, Postecoglou leaves a legacy of joy and fulfillment for Tottenham fans. Around 15,000 official and many more unofficial supporters in Bilbao erupted with celebration at the final whistle, ending nearly two decades of heartbreak.
The victory caps a memorable season in which Tottenham defied the odds, following in the footsteps of fellow overachievers Newcastle United and Crystal Palace in securing long-awaited success. The triumph also guarantees Spurs a £100 million windfall and a coveted spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Brennan Johnson the Hero in Nervy Final
The decisive goal came in the 44th minute, in fittingly scrappy fashion. Pape Matar Sarr floated in a cross that Johnson met awkwardly ahead of Luke Shaw. The ball ricocheted off Shaw and caught Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana off guard. Johnson lunged again, perhaps getting a final touch, but the damage was already done as the ball crept over the line.
Remarkably, it was Tottenham’s only shot on target in the entire match—and they didn’t need another.
The final was a tense and cautious affair between two of the lowest-placed teams ever to reach a European final, a reflection of both clubs’ underwhelming domestic campaigns.
Postecoglou’s Trophy-Winning Pedigree Continues
The victory adds to Postecoglou’s growing reputation as a serial winner. In his 100th match in charge of Spurs, the Australian tactician claimed his second trophy in his second season—mirroring feats previously achieved with South Melbourne, Brisbane Roar, Yokohama F. Marinos, and Celtic.
He also lifted the Asian Cup with Australia in his second year in charge, and now adds a UEFA trophy to his impressive résumé.
Spurs, the first English club to win a European competition, have now won their third continental title and their first since the 1984 UEFA Cup.
Manchester United’s Season Ends in Despair
For Manchester United, the defeat brings a dismal season to a bitter end. With no European football next season for only the second time since 1990, and a bottom-half Premier League finish looming, major questions are now being asked of head coach Ruben Amorim.
Despite support from club ownership, Amorim’s decision to start Mason Mount over Alejandro Garnacho backfired. United lacked attacking fluidity, and even captain Bruno Fernandes failed to impose himself.
They came closest to scoring in the second half when Rasmus Højlund’s header, following a rare error from Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, was cleared off the line by Micky van de Ven. Late efforts from Luke Shaw and substitute Joshua Zirkzee were denied by Vicario’s sharp reflexes.
Even with seven minutes of stoppage time, United could not find the dramatic equalizer that once defined their golden era.
What’s Next for Both Tottenham Spurs and Manchester United Clubs?
Tottenham will enter the summer with renewed optimism and a place among Europe’s elite next season. Whether Postecoglou stays or not, his impact has been transformative.
Manchester United, meanwhile, face a deep reckoning. From poor recruitment decisions to ineffective tactical setups, the club has rarely looked further from its former heights.
With Champions League nights returning to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and only the Carabao Cup on the horizon for United, this final may come to symbolize a decisive shift in fortunes for two of England’s most storied clubs.
