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Tottenham warned of ‘Devastating consequences’ ahead of must-win Europa League final
Stakes will be higher than ever when Tottenham take on Manchester United in the Europa League final in Bilbao
Tottenham Hotspur face Manchester United in all-English UEFA Europa League final on May 21, with the winner not only winning silverware but also qualifying for the 2025/26 Champions League.
It is tough to predict who the favourites are on paper as both Spurs and the Red Devils have had torrid domestic campaigns, with the pair sitting just above the three relegated sides. That has raised the stakes even more ahead of the Europa League final in Bilbao.
From the Lilywhites’ point of view, this is their golden opportunity to end the fans’ long thirst for a trophy by winning the Europa League. They have been abysmal domestically but have been performing extremely well in Europe. Ange Postecoglou has been on thin ice for quite a while now, and speculation over his future would further intensify if he fails to guide his Tottenham side past Man United on Wednesday night in Spain.
TV commentator and analyst Ian Darke feels that Spurs winning the Europa League competition at the San Mames Stadium would change the club’s outlook from within and outside. However, if they don’t, he states the season would go down as a “calamity”.
“Devastating, if they don’t win the final, you have the season that they have had in the Premier League, you would have to say it would have to go down as a calamity,” Ian Darke exclusively told Tottenham News.
“It really is a win-or-bust situation, I would say, for Tottenham this time.
“He was right about one thing, Postecoglou, I think he said in the press conference, that it would change the mentality of the club, not only the way other clubs think about them.
“But also the way the club thinks about itself, which is quite a subtle point to make, he might be right there, it may help to instil a different kind of winning mentality.
“Because they are sick of the jibes, being called nearly men, you know all the jokes about the empty trophy cabinet, they can put all of that to bed if they win on the night.
“This is one is for all the marbles, as they say.”
Ange Postecoglou’s side have lost 21 times in 37 Premier League fixtures thus far, a dreadful club record, and are on course for their worst finish since they were promoted back to the top flight. But it would all be forgotten if they can clinch the European trophy, with stakes higher than before.
Winning the piece of silverware would of course be the club’s first trophy since the 2008 League Cup success. There is also the ticket to the Champions League on offer for the winners, which will be extremely crucial for Spurs heading into the summer. The Lilywhites are set for a squad rebuild after a disastrous term, and to spend big and attract top talents in the transfer market, Champions League could play a massive role.
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It would also help Ange live up to his word of winning trophies in his second year in charge of clubs, and perhaps, makes Daniel Levy rethink about giving him another year to continue his project at N17. Failure in Bilbao would leave the fans heartbroken because that is the only thing they care about after going through so much misery for the past 17 years. It would also mean no European football for Spurs next season and a depleted transfer budget for the manager to spend, whilst being the final nail on Ange’s coffin at the club.
So, it is not difficult to imagine how much a win over United in the Europa League final on May 21 would do for everyone associated with the North London club. Indeed, it could change the landscape of the football club and provide a much-needed boost to restructre the club that we have been lacking for years and years.
