Ange Postecoglou Keeps Promise, but Can Tottenham’s Season Be Called a Success?

Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur beat Manchester United 1-0 in a UEFA Europa League final in Bilbao last Wednesday, May 21. It was Spurs’ first trophy since 2008 and also their first under Ange Postecoglou.

Postecoglou thus kept the promise of delivering a trophy in his second season at a club, which he stated in an interview earlier and for which he was mocked by a lot of people.

However, there was a big smile on the face of the 59-year-old Aussie while lifting the trophy. He has often been derided by the British media in the past, but it was his occasion to celebrate on Wednesday.

Can Ange Postecoglou’s Second Season at Tottenham Be Called a Success?

Winning a European trophy is definitely an achievement, being 17th in the Premier League table is far from it. Spurs are at the bottom of the teams safe from relegation and have lost 20 league matches this season.

That is as pathetic as it gets and Postecoglou hardly has any justification for that.

Tottenham have scored 63 goals in their 37 league matches so far and conceded nearly just as many – 61.

Dominic Solanke, the striker they signed from Bournemouth at the start of the season, is their highest second-highest goal-scorer with 15 goals.

James Maddison, Brennan Johnson, who scored the only goal in the Europa League final, and Dejan Kulusevski have scored 12, 18 and 10 goals, respectively.

Johnson, who has been often chosen to play on the right flank ahead of Kulusevski, is Tottenham’s highest goal-scorer this season and has enhanced his reputation as a player considerably.

However, the fact that none of their players exceeded the mark of 20 goals during the season means that the Spurs will have to work harder in future to strengthen their attack.

Postecoglou’s decision to play attacking football at the cost of defensive assurance also proved to be detrimental to the team’s fortunes. However, on Wednesday, it was a resolute defensive performance that won him the match.

By winning the trophy, Tottenham can definitely claim to have had a more successful season than a team like Manchester United.

United are a place above them in the league table and have been every bit as pathetic as them in terms of their domestic performance.

A Tier – And More – Below the Rest

However, they cannot be called more successful than teams like Arsenal and Aston Villa, who have not won any trophy, but have consistently played much better football.

One does not even feel like bringing Manchester City into this conversation. The Cityzens are going to finish this season trophyless, but should still manage a third-place finish in the Premier League.

Not to mention that they have been immensely successful during the past few seasons.

Then, there is Newcastle United, who have won the EFL Cup and are going to finish inside the top four in the league in all probability.

Crystal Palace have won the FA Cup and are going to finish inside the top half in the Premier League table.

Postecoglou’s Spurs should be behind the aforementioned teams in the context of the whole season despite finishing with silverware.

Therefore, Tottenham’s season can hardly be called a success despite their winning the Europa League and ensuring Champions League football next season.

We have to remember in this context that the same club played in a Champions League final six years ago and made it a habit to finish inside the top four under Mauricio Pochettino.