Tottenham seek redemption in what could be Postecoglou s last dance

LONDON - Tottenham Hotspur have endured their worst domestic season for nearly 50 years, yet on Wednesday in Bilbaos San Mames Stadium all that will be forgiven if they can overcome Manchester United and win the Europa League.

Ange Postecoglous side were touted, along with United, as one of the favourites when they began Europes second-tier club competition with a 3-0 home win against FK Qarabag in September.

Both duly reached the final, despite being involved in what looked like an ignominious race to the bottom during a Premier League campaign in which they have lost a combined 39 games.

With one game left Tottenham are 17th with 21 defeats, the same number they suffered in 1976-77 when they were relegated.

Humiliating as that has been for manager Ange Postecoglou and his players, the slate will be wiped clean for 90 minutes in northern Spain as Tottenham seek a first trophy since 2008 and their first European silverware since they won the UEFA Cup, the predecessor of the Europa League, 41 years ago.

Victory would also catapult Tottenham back into the Champions League, the competition they reached the final of in 2019 only to suffer heartbreak against Liverpool in Madrid.

Postecoglou insists victory can change the perception of a club he says does crazy things to people. He also knows that he has a chance to have the last laugh over his critics.

The pugnacious Australian invited pressure on his shoulders earlier in the campaign by claiming I always win a trophy in my second season at a club.

After a surrender to Liverpool in the League Cup semi-final and the disintegration of their Premier League campaign, that boast has looked increasingly unlikely.

The 59-year-old former Celtic manager has been increasingly spiky in media interviews, accusing critics of failing to