Sometime this week, I told someone on the phone that we shall know what league we are in — and by that, how far we can stretch our life aspirations.
This wasn’t about football or sports, but about self-awareness and social mobility. At the end of the day, I was just echoing the old Socratic commandment: “Know thyself.”
More on Greek-based philosophy in a moment.
What the Trophy Means
That philosophy certainly applies to Tottenham. Winning the Europa League means the world to the club — especially considering the circumstances.
This was more than just meeting expectations. It ended a long 17-year wait for silverware — a drought often ridiculed by rival fans, both domestically and across Europe.
The Spurs faithful have come heartbreakingly close in recent years, losing three EFL/Carabao Cup finals — to Manchester City, Manchester United, and Chelsea — and, most notably, the Champions League final to Liverpool during the Pochettino era.
The Bilbao Final
But in Bilbao, against Manchester United, neither team arrived as favorites. Both had underwhelming Premier League campaigns, finishing just above the relegation line.
Tottenham approached the final with clarity and pragmatism — and it worked. The mocking narrative about Spurs being “all style, no silverware” is finally obsolete.
Promises Kept, Eyes Forward
Manager Ange Postecoglou had promised to delight supporters in his second season — just as he had in Australia, Japan, and Scotland. He delivered. In a world full of empty soundbites, Postecoglou’s authenticity stands out. He turned promise into proof. That alone should be remembered.
Now, with this breakthrough, the club must look forward. Qualifying for the Champions League brings more than just revenue — it brings expectation. It forces a rethink. Spurs must now build a squad and structure capable of competing with the continent’s elite: the Real Madrids, Bayern Munichs, and beyond.
They’re not favorites for next season’s Champions League — not yet — but they have the chance to shift perceptions. The European Super Cup, against the likes of PSG or Inter Milan, could serve as a powerful opening statement.
A Brave New World
This is Tottenham’s brave new world — and it can only grow from here.
I once thought Manchester United might turn a corner by winning the Europa League under Mourinho, putting to bed the long shadow of Ferguson’s legacy. But they didn’t.
Spurs, don’t become the new United.
Sometimes, knowing where not to go is just as vital as knowing where to aim.
For Tottenham, the burden now lies with ownership. Will the ENIC Group (English National Investment Company) give Postecoglou the space and time to build not just a squad, but a culture? That’s a long-term process — one that demands belief more than budget. Champions League revenue may help. So too will that symbolic opening match in the European Super Cup.Because honestly, when was the last time so much rode on one match after a season had already ended?
Tottenham’s world has changed. The real question is: can they grow into it?