Ange Postecoglou insisted that an improved Premier League -Finish Tottenham would not change, but that winning a trophy would do after their Europa League triumph on Wednesday.
Spurs ended their 17-year-old waiting for silverware after a 1-0 win over Manchester United in the final in Bilbao, while next season he secured Champions League football.
It is a remarkable salvation for what another difficult campaign had been in front of Postecoglou, who are 17th in the Premier League.
There was even greater pressure on the Australian to deliver this trophy, after he had claimed earlier in the season how he always wins silverware in his second year in a club, but he then kept that impressive record.
Indeed, he has won the National Soccer League of 1997-98 with South Melbourne, the A-League 2011-12 with Brisbane Roar, the J1 League 2019 with Yokohama F. Marinos, and the 2022-23 Scottish Premiership, Scottish League Cup with Cellue Cup5, the 2022-200 Europe-Europe-Europe-Europe-Europe-Europe-Europe-Europe-Europe-Europe-Europe-Euro-Euro-Euro-Euro-Euro-Euro-Euro-Euro-Europe-Europe-Europe.
“People misinterpreted me,” he said about his quote from September. “I was not that I scooped, only I made an explanation, and I believed it. I had this thing more than whatever.
“I know that our form of competition is unacceptable, but as third [in the Premier League] Wouldn't change this football club.
“Winning a trophy would, that was my ambition, and I was willing to wear it when it didn't happen. People kept reminding me because we got closer, but I am happy with that.
“I have always had the feeling that knockout football is different from competition football and, when you are in that situation, it comes down to a good organization, with a real game plan and moments, and you can minimize moments by having a strong foundation.
“I felt that we would be very difficult to demolish. We could have been better in transitions, but I felt at ease that if we got ahead, we could treat the most of what Manchester United would throw at us.”
“I still assume it,” he added. “I know what it means for this football club. The longer it goes, the harder it is to break that cycle.
“I felt the nerves in everyone at the club, and until you take that monkey off your back, you never understand how it feels.
“We have a young group, and I hope that by tasting this, the players feel different about themselves, and what it means for them is incredible.”
Son Heung-Min became the first Tottenham player to lift silverwork since Robbie Keane and Ledley King the 2008 League Cup Aloft at Wembley HijSden.
The first South Korean to provide a side of a large European trophy was also the first silverware of his career.
“Let's say I'm a legend. Why not? Only today! ' He joked on TNT sports. “[In] 17 years old, nobody did it [lifted a trophy].
“This is what I have always dreamed for. Today the day it happened. I am the happiest man in the world.
“If you look all season, there will always be a situation where you are struggling, but as players we have always stayed together.
“I felt the pressure. I wanted it so badly. The last seven days I dreamed about this game every night. It finally happened and I can sleep easily now!”
Make history. pic.twitter.com/6leq66km75
– Tottenham Hotspur (@spursofficial) May 21, 2025