On Wednesday in Bilbao, the Europa League final is set to take place, featuring Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United. Both clubs, having struggled in the Premier League this season, see this match as a golden opportunity to rescue their campaigns by securing silverware in Spain.
TOTTENHAM
It`s widely acknowledged that Spurs haven`t lifted a trophy since winning the League Cup back in 2008. Manager Ange Postecoglou has faced criticism for his side`s disappointing performance in the league.
However, the fact that Tottenham`s most recent trophy wins came under managers like Juande Ramos and George Graham, who weren`t necessarily the club`s most celebrated or popular figures, might offer a glimmer of hope. Tottenham can also find encouragement in recent examples of teams ending significant trophy droughts.
In March, for instance, Newcastle United defied expectations to win the Carabao Cup, marking their first major honour since the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969. Just last week, Italian club Bologna claimed the Coppa Italia, ending a 51-year wait for a trophy.
Former Spurs star Harry Kane recently secured the first trophy of his career by winning the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, scoring 26 goals. Even more recently, Crystal Palace achieved a historic first major trophy in their history by surprisingly winning the FA Cup last Saturday.
This season has seen several clubs break long waits for silverware, and Spurs will be hoping to join this trend by adding a third UEFA Cup/Europa League triumph to their history, following wins in 1971 and 1984.
MAN UTD
Manchester United`s mid-season change in management hasn`t yet yielded significant improvements. Erik ten Hag had a poor start to the season and was sacked in October after a 2-1 defeat to West Ham. His replacement, 40-year-old Ruben Amorim, has overseen just six wins in 26 Premier League matches since taking charge.
Despite their league form, United fans can look to intriguing parallels with their last Europa League victory for optimism. Eight years ago, in 2017, the Red Devils beat Ajax 2-0 in Stockholm.
On that occasion, they were managed by a Portuguese coach, Jose Mourinho, who had replaced Dutchman Louis van Gaal – a manager who was sacked shortly after winning the FA Cup. Fast forward to today: United have a Portuguese boss in Amorim who replaced a sacked Dutchman, Ten Hag, who won the FA Cup last season. The parallels are notable.
Adding another layer of coincidence, Mourinho won his first European trophy on May 21, 2003, at the age of 40 years, three months, and 24 days. Tomorrow`s final also falls on May 21, with Ruben Amorim being just one day younger than Mourinho was on the date of his first European triumph.
Furthermore, Manchester City, United`s main rivals, last completed a season without winning a trophy in 2017 (the 2016-17 campaign). United supporters will be hoping these peculiar omens align in their favour for Wednesday night`s final.
Marcus Bellamy