Europa League can be turning point for Tottenham, says Postecoglou

LONDON : Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou believes beating Manchester United in next week's Europa League final would break the cycle of under-achievement and mark a turning point in the history of the north London club.

Postecoglou is in the strange position of leading the club to their worst ever Premier League campaign yet being one win away from ending the a 17-year trophy drought.

The Australian's future has been the source of constant speculation this season and Sunday's 2-0 home defeat by Crystal Palace was their 20th league loss, leaving them in 17th place.

Next Wednesday in Bilbao, however, victory over United would not only deliver the club's first European silverware for 41 years but also send them into next season's Champions League.

"My view was that (winning a trophy) is what I'll get judged on." Postecoglou told reporters on Monday.

"I could have been sitting here fifth last year, fifth this year - maybe people wouldn't be waiting for the white smoke to see if it's my last one - but they'd still be saying 'You know Ange, that's great but its all been done before. Until this club wins something, you haven't made an impact.'

"I kind of knew throughout my tenure, that's what I was going to be judged on so now we have an opportunity to do that."

LIVERPOOL LOSS

Tottenham fell just short of the Premier league title twice under Mauricio Pochettino and reached the Champions League final in 2019 when they lost to Liverpool.

There has been a regression since, but Postecoglou's side have a golden opportunity to refresh the club's trophy cabinet and the photos of trophy-winning teams of the past that adorn the stadium's corridor, most of which Postecoglou points out are in black and white.

"When you look at the