"I always win things in my second year," Ange Postecoglou boldly declared last September while stationed in the bowels of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Spurs manager had just watched his side slip to a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in the north London derby.
It continued a poor start to the season for the club with pressure already beginning to ramp up on the former Celtic boss as cracks in his demeanour quickly emerged.
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Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur seek drought-breaking trophy win in Europa League final against Manchester United
Just a few months prior, the Australian had stated during the pre-season that "usually in my second season I win things".
Asked for clarification, via means of a possible barb, Ange refused to walk back on his declaration after his side's loss to the Gunners.
"I’ll correct myself," he told Sky Sports. "I don't usually win things, I always win things in my second year. Nothing's changed. I've said it now. I don't say things unless I believe them."
At times this season, those words have looked like they would come back to haunt the Aussie as Spurs have staggered from disaster to the next.
They're the type of quotes that could be pinned across social media and universally derided after he was dumped by Daniel Levy midway through the year.
One haphazard display fed into another insipid one in a seemingly never-ending cycle for their long-suffering fans, yet the Spurs owner has surprisingly stuck solid.
Tottenham sits one place above the relegation zone in the English Premier League, having won just 11 matches allcampaign.
The club’s fans have voiced their displeasure at both the manager and the owner at regular intervals during their descent down the table, yet Postecoglou may still get a crowning moment.
While Spurs have racked up the losses domestically, they have safely navigated their way through to the Europa League final.
Since the turn of the year, they have knocked off AZ Alkmaar, Frankfurt and Bodø/Glimt to progress through to the final against Manchester United.
The Red Devils, who have endured a historically dire season, have reason to feel anxious beyond the clawing realisation that this match really is a winner-takes-all scenario.
The victor will go on to enjoy the spoils of either an open-top bus parade or a BBQ at Carrington, as well as the riches of Champions League football next season.
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Now that he has finally got to the game that matters the most for the club, Ange has his impressive record to fall back upon.
The 59-year-old won titles in his homeland with South Melbourne and Brisbane Roar, as well as the Japanese league with Yokohama F Marinos during his second full term in charge of them all.
Postecoglou also lifted the Asian Cup in 2015, which was two years into his reign as the national team boss.
Of course, there is also the dominance he enjoyed north of the border with Celtic as they romped their way to consecutive championships.
His magical secondary touch will come under the microscope a final time in north London when his side ventures to the San Mames Stadium.
Can the Aussie deliver Spurs their first piece of silverware since their 2008 League Cup, or will Ruben Amorim’s United instead dig themselves out of turmoil to offer a temporary, albeit joyous, reprieve?
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How to watch the Europe League final in Australia: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester United
The European final between Spurs and United will be broadcast live in Australia on 9Gem.
What time is kick-off in Australia for the Europe League 2025 final?
Coverage of the all-English decider will start from 4:30am AEST on Thursday, May 22.
A 30-minute pre-game show will lead into the match, which is set to start at 5:00am AEST from the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao.