Can coach Ange Postecoglou indeed end the 'history of no titles' that taxes Mourinho and Mauricio Pochettino could not finish?
The Tottenham team led by Postecoglou won a convincing 2-0 victory against Bodo/Glimt (Norway) in the second leg of the 2024-2025 Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Europa League (UEL) semifinals held at the Aspmyra Stadium in Bodo, Norway, on the 9th (Korea time).
Thus, after dominating the first leg 3-1, Tottenham overwhelmed Bodo/Glimt with a total score of 5-1 over both legs, securing their place in the final. Now, Tottenham will face Manchester United on the 22nd at Estadio San Mames, the home ground of Athletic Bilbao, Spain.
The final is vital for Tottenham. A ticket to next season's Champions League is at stake. Tottenham, currently sitting in 16th place in the league, sees this as their only opportunity to recover.
In particular, Tottenham has a chance to bring home a European competition trophy for the first time in six years since the 2018-2019 Champions League final. The club's last trophy was the League Cup during the time former coach Juande Ramos led them in the 2007-2008 season. Since then, Tottenham has reached the finals four times in 17 years but has always come up short.
After winning the League Cup, the following season (2008-2009) saw the team, under coach Harry Redknapp, reach the League Cup final again. However, Tottenham was defeated by Manchester United, led by Sir Alex Ferguson. The match ended 0-0 after normal time and extra time, but Tottenham lost 1-4 in the penalty shootout.
Six years later, in the 2014-2015 season, Tottenham also reached the League Cup final. This came in Mauricio Pochettino's debut season, providing a trophy opportunity right away. However, they succumbed to Jose Mourinho's Chelsea with a score of 0-2. That summer, Son Heung-min (33) transferred from Bayer Leverkusen to Tottenham.
Next was the 2018-2019 UEFA Champions League final. Coach Pochettino's Tottenham faced Liverpool with Son Heung-min, Harry Kane, and others but lost 0-2, settling for the runner-up position.
Under Mourinho's management, Tottenham again reached the League Cup final in the 2020-2021 season. Tottenham once more featured the duo of Son Heung-min and Kane but lost 0-1 to Manchester City, led by Pep Guardiola.
What was particularly disappointing was that just days before the final, chairman Daniel Levy suddenly dismissed coach Mourinho. As a result, they approached the final under interim manager Ryan Mason, which sparked controversy. Ultimately, Tottenham had to shed tears once again.
Tottenham now returns to the final stage after four years. This is a golden opportunity to wash away past disappointments. In particular, Coach Postecoglou is stepping out to keep his promise.
Before this season, Coach Postecoglou expressed confidence, saying, "I always won a trophy in my second season." In fact, Postecoglou raised trophies in his second season with Brisbane Roar (Australia), Yokohama F. Marinos (Japan), and Celtic (Scotland).
The interest of football fans worldwide is focused on whether Coach Postecoglou can realize the 'second-year victory formula' at Tottenham. This also involves Son Heung-min's quest for a title.
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