Brennan Johnson hails under-fire Ange Postecoglou as Tottenham Hotspur beat Manchester United to win UEFA Europa League - 'Time for a mic drop'
Published 21/05/2025 at 23:01 GMT+1
Brennan Johnson proclaimed that Ange Postecoglou has "done his job" at Tottenham Hotspur after ending the club's 17-year trophy drought. The forward scored the only goal of the game as Spurs beat Manchester United 1-0 in the UEFA Europa League final. It comes following a disappointing year domestically, but Johnson says none of that matters after their first European trophy since 1984.
Highlights: Postecoglou delivers as Spurs beat Man Utd to end trophy drought
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Tottenham Hotspur's UEFA Europa League final hero Brennan Johnson paid tribute to manager Ange Postecoglou following their 1-0 win over Manchester United.
The forward scored the only goal of the game in the first half to secure Spurs' first piece of silverware in 17 years.
The success comes after a difficult campaign for the north London outfit, who are on course to finish 17th in the Premier League, which would be their lowest position since 1976/77.
That has led to widespread calls for Postecoglou to be sacked, but Johnson is having none of it.
"He's done his job," the attacker told TNT Sports. "He said he wins in his second year, and he has.
"If there was ever a time for mic drop, I think it's now, so I'll be looking forward to his interview.
"I can't thank the manager enough for how much trust he's had in us, because some of the performances this season haven't been good enough.
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"But, especially in the Europa League, he has a really good way of getting everyone up for it, and today it shows."
Tottenham's last trophy was the League Cup, which they lifted after beating Chelsea in the 2007/08 League Cup final.
They had not tasted glory in Europe in 41 years, when Keith Burkinshaw's side defeated Anderlecht over two legs to lift the UEFA Cup.
There were, therefore, plenty of nerves in the final minutes, as Manchester United laid siege to Guglielmo Vicario's goal.
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Watch - Van de Ven makes astonishing clearance to deny Hojlund
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The Spurs defence dealt with everything that was thrown at them, though, including the 'keeper making a stunning save from a late Luke Shaw header.
The final whistle was greeted with joyous scenes from all those of a Spurs persuasion, none more so than Johnson himself.
"I can't [explain the feeling]," he continued. "I'm so happy right now, honestly. This season hasn't been good at all, but I swear, not one of us players right now care about that.
"This is what it's all about. This club hasn't won a trophy in 17 years! Honestly, this is what it means. It means so much.
"All the fans get battered. We get battered, for not winning a trophy; for not winning anything. We had to get the first one in a while today, and I'm so happy.
"[The final few minutes were] Horrible. Honestly, I couldn't watch. I was just listening to what the boys were saying, asking how long was left.
"When we defended that corner at the end, I kind of knew. I was getting told it was done. The relief is something that I can never describe.
"Ever since I came here, it's been 'Tottenham are a good team but can never get it done.' We got it done."
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Watch – Spurs take Europa League final lead in scrappy fashion
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The win provides the further prize of guaranteeing a return to the UEFA Champions League after a three-year absence.
And Johnson was quick to pay tribute to all of the supporters who had made the trip to Bilbao, turning one end of San Mames into a sea of white.
"Tottenham Hotspur finishing 17th in the Premier League isn't good enough," he concluded. "But we've had an unbelievable Europa run.
"The fans have been so good; every home game, every away game, and then coming here. I just thought they had the edge on the United fans, to be honest.
"Ever since we got to the stadium, we walked out before the game, hours before, and they were all here, singing our names. It got us through the game."
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