Why a simple photo speaks volumes about Postecoglou after he created history

Amid the emotion, elation and relief among Tottenham's players, staff and supporters on Wednesday night, there was one moment prior to the trophy lift that many are pointing to as their highlight of the night.

For Ange Postecoglou, it was the biggest moment of his career to date, with the Australian football coach actualising his now iconic claim: 'I always win in the second season, mate.'

With the former Celtic boss at the helm, Spurs finally ended their agonising 17-year wait for a major trophy, lifting the Europa League title at the San Mames in Bilbao, after besting Manchester United 1-0.

Brennan Johnson would strike the only goal of the match, aided in part by a touch from Luke Shaw, while Micky van de Ven would produce a clutch goal-line clearance to deny United an equaliser.

A brilliant stoppage-time save from Guglielmo Vicario would prevent Ruben Amorim's side from taking the game to injury time, with Postecoglou, turning to his coaching staff on the touchline and embracing his assistants with a bear hug.

This was a make-or-break match for both sides. For Manchester United, the repercussions of this are ominious and will have many supporters sweating on what's next for their club. After a dismal season, with the Red Devils dropping to 16th in the league, questions are now piling on Amorim, who must now recoup and regather his team this summer.

Postecoglou, meanwhile, has stood firm this season against a wave of criticism after Spurs also plummeted to 17th in the league. He, though, now has a response to those critics - a Europa League title.

The Australian beamed from ear-to-ear and danced with his players but the humble and considered footy boss produced a moment of sheer class that speaks volumes of his character, just as his players were about to lift the trophy.

The 59-year-old manager, selflessly stepped to one side as his players celebrated on the platform in the middle of the pitch, allowing them to enjoy the moment.

But after a brief moment, wing-back Pedro Porro clocked Postecoglou standing away from the team on his own. He paced over to the coach, hugged him and dragged him right into the centre of the melee of players.

As he walked through, the group patted him on the back, hugged him and wrapped their arms around the Aussie coach, before welcoming him into the middle of their celebrations.

'Possibly my favourite video from the night. Shows what an incredible character he has. Just a class act through and through,' one social media user wrote on X.

One added: 'He didn't want to make it about himself. That's why he's just so fricken great.'

'He did his part, wanted that party for the players.'

'I've been saying this all season the players fully back and love this man!' another said.

The victory will alleviate some of the pressure that has weighed on Postecoglou's shoulders over the past year.

There were concerns that, considering Spurs' recent form, he could be facing the axe.

But for the Australian coach, winning more trophies with Tottenham is still very much on the agenda.

'All I've done in my career is win,' he said. 'Even Daniel [Levy, Spurs' chairman] said: 'We've gone for winners [in the past] and now we have Ange.'

'Mate, I'm a winner.

'We're still building this team. We need to add some experience to it. I'm the manager of the football club, that decision is not in my hands. All I care about is this thing [his medal]. There are no meetings planned – no one has said anything to me.

'All I know is I'm going to go back to my hotel room, open a bottle of scotch, have a couple of quiet ones and prepare for a big parade on Friday.

'I don't feel like I've completed the job yet, we're still building. The moment I took the job, I wanted to win something. We've done that. It's the toughest thing I've ever done.

'The moment I accepted the role [as manager] I had one thing in my head, and that was to win something,' Postecoglou added.

'More than anything else I had that in my head, and we've done that now so I want to build on it. I am super proud – this is one for the true believers. I'm still taking it all in. I know what it means for this football club. The longer it goes, the harder it is to break that cycle.

'I could sense the nerves in everyone at the club and until you take that monkey off your back, you never understand what it feels like.'