Tottenham parade Europa League trophy in north London as 150,000 fans celebrate end of 17-year drought
LONDON, May 24 — Europa League winners Tottenham were saluted by around 150,000 ecstatic fans during an open-top bus parade through north London yesterday.
Ange Postecoglou's side beat Manchester United 1-0 in Bilbao on Wednesday to end the club's 17-year trophy drought.
Brennan Johnson's first-half strike sealed Tottenham's first European silverware for 41 years, making amends for the team's dismal form in the Premier League this term.
A white double-decker bus with 'Europa League winners' emblazoned on it carried Tottenham's players on an 'emotional' journey to their stadium.
Jubilant supporters packed the streets to hail the players, with chants of 'glory, glory Tottenham Hotspur' echoing as the bus rolled past.
Tottenham's South Korean captain Son Heung-min held the trophy aloft on the top deck of the bus as his team-mates proudly displayed their winners' medals and Postecoglou waved to fans.
An estimated 150,000 supporters were expected for a parade that was due to last around 90 minutes.
Tottenham players were seen partying in a London nightclub after arriving back from Bilbao.
And Dutch defender Micky van de Ven soaked up the scene at the parade and said: 'Unbelievable man. Yeah I slept only a little bit since then.
'Emotional, so emotional. The season we've had, it was so difficult, but we got the trophy and we're so happy. I'm so proud of the boys.
'If you experience this, you want to do it over and over again. We're going to try to do the same beautiful things next season.'
It was Tottenham's first trophy parade since winning their last FA Cup in 1991, while their last silverware came in the 2008 League Cup.
Postecoglou's side are currently 17th in the Premier League, one place above the relegation zone, as they face up to their worst finish since 1976-77.
But Graham Roberts -- a member of the Tottenham team that won the 1984 UEFA Cup -- backed his old club to chase more silverware now the trophy curse is over.
'This will give them belief now. All that pressure that was there, that's gone,' Roberts said.
'We have to strengthen our squad, but I think we have a great bunch of boys.
'They love Ange, they went round him, they cuddled him, they wanted him in the photos. The team spirit is there.
'We'll get more now, the rest will come. Wednesday was one of the greatest nights. I had tears in my eyes. The fans were magnificent. They deserve it.' — AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Man Utd raise profit forecast despite turbulent season
MANCHESTER UNITED on Friday raised its estimate for annual core profit to between £180 million ($244 million) and £190 million after a run to the final of the Europa League boosted club coffers. The adjusted EBITDA figures (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation), which exclude items such as profits on player sales and finance costs, are up from an earlier projection of between £145 million and £160 million. Ruben Amorim's side reached the Europa League final, where they lost 1-0 to Tottenham. But United endured their worst top-flight campaign in more than 50 years, finishing an embarrassing 15th in the table. Nevertheless, driven by the Europa League run, United's total revenue increased 17.4 percent to £160.5 million in the quarter to March 31 from a year previously. Matchday revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2025 was £44.5 million, an increase of more than 50 percent, due to more home games. Total operating costs were down 20.4 percent, sparked by a reduction in the wage bill due to United's involvement in the Europa League instead of the Champions League, plus the January loan exits of Marcus Rashford and Antony. A redundancy programme affecting non-playing staff, which began last year under minority owner Jim Ratcliffe, also helped cut costs. Chief executive Omar Berrada said in a statement that there was a 'clear expectation of improvement' next season. 'We were proud to reach the final of the UEFA Europa League but ultimately we were disappointed to finish as runner-up in Bilbao,' he said. 'We had a difficult season in the Premier League, which we all know fell below our standards and we have a clear expectation of improvement next season.' Amorim has started what is expected to be a significant squad rebuild at Old Trafford that will likely involve several high-profile arrivals and the exits of some key players. United have acted quickly during this month's transfer window. They agreed the £62.5 million signing of Wolves forward Matheus Cunha and are reported to have a firm interest in Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Man United Boosts Profit Forecast After Europa League Run
MANCHESTER UNITED on Friday raised its estimate for annual core profit to between £180 million ($244 million) and £190 million after a run to the final of the Europa League boosted club coffers. The adjusted EBITDA figures (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation), which exclude items such as profits on player sales and finance costs, are up from an earlier projection of between £145 million and £160 million. Ruben Amorim's side reached the Europa League final, where they lost 1-0 to Tottenham. But United endured their worst top-flight campaign in more than 50 years, finishing an embarrassing 15th in the table. Nevertheless, driven by the Europa League run, United's total revenue increased 17.4 percent to £160.5 million in the quarter to March 31 from a year previously. Matchday revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2025 was £44.5 million, an increase of more than 50 percent, due to more home games. Total operating costs were down 20.4 percent, sparked by a reduction in the wage bill due to United's involvement in the Europa League instead of the Champions League, plus the January loan exits of Marcus Rashford and Antony. A redundancy programme affecting non-playing staff, which began last year under minority owner Jim Ratcliffe, also helped cut costs. Chief executive Omar Berrada said in a statement that there was a 'clear expectation of improvement' next season. 'We were proud to reach the final of the UEFA Europa League but ultimately we were disappointed to finish as runner-up in Bilbao,' he said. 'We had a difficult season in the Premier League, which we all know fell below our standards and we have a clear expectation of improvement next season.' Amorim has started what is expected to be a significant squad rebuild at Old Trafford that will likely involve several high-profile arrivals and the exits of some key players. United have acted quickly during this month's transfer window. They agreed the £62.5 million signing of Wolves forward Matheus Cunha and are reported to have a firm interest in Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo.
The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
Soccer-Postecoglou says he leaves with pride intact after Tottenham axe
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Europa League - Final - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - San Mames, Bilbao, Spain - May 21, 2025 Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou celebrates after winning the Europa League Final REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge LONDON (Reuters) -Ange Postecoglou spoke of his intense pride at his two-year stint as Tottenham Hotspur manager after it ended with him being sacked by the Premier League club on Friday. The 59-year-old Australian took the club to their first trophy for 17 years last month when Tottenham beat Manchester United to win the Europa League. But the club have axed him after their worst top-flight campaign since 1976-77, finishing one place above the Premier League's relegation zone after losing 22 games. "When I reflect on my time as Manager of Tottenham Hotspur my overriding emotion is one of pride," he said in a statement released shortly after his dismissal was confirmed. "The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime. Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget. "That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in a dream. There were many challenges to overcome and plenty of noise that comes with trying to accomplish what many said was not possible." Postecoglou spoke in the build-up to the Europa League final about changing the way the club is perceived and he said his accomplishments should ensure that Tottenham will not have to wait so long for their next trophy. "We have laid foundations that mean this club should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success," he said. "I have enormous faith in this group of players and know there is much more potential and growth in them." While Tottenham fans were split over Postecoglou's future, he had a message for the supporters. "I sincerely want to thank those who are the lifeblood of the club, the supporters," he said. "I know there were some difficult times but I always felt that they wanted me to succeed and that gave me all the motivation I needed to push on. "And finally, I want to thank those who were with me every day for the last two years. A fantastic group of young men who are now legends of this football club and the brilliant coaches who never once doubted we could do something special. We are forever connected." (Reporting by Martyn HermanEditing by Toby Davis)
