Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou set high expectations early in the season when he claimed that he always wins trophies in his second year at the helm. “Usually in my second season I win things,” he said in August, explaining that his first year is about building a foundation and his second year is when success follows. He doubled down on this statement in September, telling Sky Sports, “I’ll correct myself – I always win things in my second year.”
With a proven track record in this area, Postecoglou’s bold declaration now faces its biggest test. The 59-year-old’s chance to prove himself arrives on Wednesday night in the Europa League final against Manchester United in Bilbao. A victory would add another piece of silverware to his collection, a Champions League spot for Tottenham, and perhaps secure his job, depending on the outcome.
Postecoglou’s “second-season success” is a theme that runs through his career. His first taste of success came in 1998 with South Melbourne, winning the National Soccer League in his second season. He followed that with another league title before transitioning to coach the Australian national youth teams. During his time in these roles, he led Australia to Oceania titles at both Under-17 and Under-20 levels, further solidifying his second-year success.
After stints with Panachaiki in Greece and Whittlesea Zebras in Australia—neither long enough to test his second-season claim—Postecoglou found his rhythm with Brisbane Roar. Taking over in 2009, he led the team to back-to-back A-League championships in 2011 and 2012, making Brisbane the first club in A-League history to do so. This success made Postecoglou the most successful coach in Australian football with four national titles.
Postecoglou’s next big step was managing the Australian national team, where he achieved a major milestone by winning the 2015 Asia Cup, Australia’s first. He then moved to Japan in 2017 to manage Yokohama F. Marinos. After a rocky first season, he led the team to their first J-League title in 15 years in 2019, once again proving the power of his second-year coaching.
A similar story unfolded in Scotland, where Postecoglou took charge of Celtic. While he didn’t have to wait for a second season to win the league title in 2022, his second year saw even greater success as he clinched the Scottish Premiership, Cup, and League Cup in the 2022/23 season.
Now, at Tottenham, Postecoglou’s claim faces its ultimate test in the Europa League final against Manchester United. The match represents an opportunity for him to extend his impressive second-season record, with the added stakes of potentially securing silverware and a Champions League spot for the club.
Postecoglou remains confident, insisting that his future isn’t tied to one game. In a pre-match press conference, he said, “My future is assured. I wouldn’t be the first person to change jobs. I’ve got a beautiful family, I’ve got a great life, I’ll keep on winning trophies until I finish wherever that is.” While his future may not be at risk, he acknowledges there is much still to accomplish at Tottenham.
“I don’t think my job is done here. I think a trophy would accelerate that, and I think there’s a lot still to be done. That’s obvious,” he added. Despite a challenging season, Postecoglou remains focused on continued growth for the club, regardless of the immediate outcome.
The Europa League final kicks off at 8pm tonight at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao. Fans in the UK can watch the match for free on discovery+ by registering a free account, or on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate. The game is set to be a thrilling conclusion to a season of high stakes for both teams.
Latest Odds:
- 2/1 Tottenham
- 7/4 Draw
- 11/10 Manchester United