“I Always Win Things in My Second Year” – A Defiant Mantra
When Tottenham were beaten 1-0 by Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last September, manager Ange Postecoglou brushed off criticism with a mantra that has defined his career.
“I always win things in my second year. Nothing has changed. I don’t say things unless I believe them.”
That confident declaration has followed him through a roller-coaster 2024–25 season as Spurs now prepare for an all-English Europa League final against Manchester United in Bilbao.
A Season of Contrasts
Carabao Cup Heartbreak
Spurs surged into the semi-finals, taking a 1-0 first-leg lead over Liverpool, only to be dismantled 4-0 at Anfield.
FA Cup Exit
A fourth-round defeat to Aston Villa ended any hopes of domestic silverware.
Premier League Struggles
Sitting 17th with one game remaining, Tottenham lie a staggering 45 points behind champions Liverpool—on course for their worst top-flight finish since 1992.
Despite those setbacks, Postecoglou’s side have one final chance this week to salvage their season and book a Champions League place for 2025–26.
Milestone 100: Postecoglou’s Century of Games
Wednesday night’s showdown at San Mamés will mark Postecoglou’s 100th match in charge of Tottenham since his appointment in July 2023.
A victory would not only validate his second-year maxim, but also silence critics who question his suitability for the Premier League elite.
The Second-Season Success Story
Postecoglou’s résumé reveals a pattern of dramatic turnarounds in his second full campaigns at various clubs:
Celtic (2021–23)
– First Season: Scottish Premiership and League Cup winners
– Second Season: Completed a domestic treble with the Scottish Cup in May 2023
Yokohama F. Marinos (2018–21)
– Second Calendar Year (2019): J1 League champions, six points clear
Australia National Team (2013–17)
– Second Year: Guided the Socceroos to the 2015 Asian Cup title on home soil
Brisbane Roar (2009–12)
– Second and Third Seasons: Back-to-back A-League Championships in 2010–11 and 2011–12
Even at smaller clubs such as South Melbourne, Postecoglou claimed consecutive titles in his second and third seasons.
The Bilbao Test: Legacy on the Line
In Bilbao, Postecoglou faces a two-fold challenge:
Silencing Doubters: Prove his self-professed “second-year magic” applies at the highest level.
Securing Champions League Football: A win would leapfrog Spurs back into Europe’s elite competition, restoring pride after a tumultuous domestic campaign.
If successful, it will be the ultimate vindication of his belief: that year two is when Ange Postecoglou really makes his mark.
Should Spurs triumph, Postecoglou will head into 2025–26 with both silverware and Champions League football.
Failure, however, could tip his second-year narrative into jeopardy just as it reaches its climax.
