Ange Postecoglou reinforced his confidence that Tottenham will be successful going forward as his second season as head coach in North London came to a close.
Tottenham ended the 2024/25 season with a 4-1 home defeat to a Brighton side chasing continental football, though Fabian Hürzeler's side subsequently missed out on Europe after Chelsea finished 4th.
Although they went ahead via a Dominic Solanke spot kick, Matt O'Riley, Diego Gomez, and a brace from Jack Hinshelwood meant the Seagulls completed their first ever Premier League double over Spurs.
"The emotions of the last three days meant it was always going to be a tricky one for us," Postecoglou confessed. "First half we competed well. We could've had a second goal which would've made it easier for us.
"Even second half Brennan [Johnson] got a good opportunity but you could tell last 35 minutes we ran out of legs and kind of understandable for the players."
It has been a strange campaign for Spurs. A disastrous league campaign has seen the Lilywhites finish 17th, the club's worst season - points-wise and position-wise - since they were relegated from the First Division in 1977.
Conversely, they ended their 17 year silverware drought on Wednesday, winning the Europa League, and qualifying for the Champions League next year.
"It's fair to say the last few days have shown how the club can be when it's united," Postecoglou said, referring to the 1-0 victory over Manchester United on Wednesday.
"It's such a massive club with such a massive reach. You've seen the outpouring of emotion and that's something we need to build on. That's what a trophy does. That's what we've done does and people want more of it."
The mixed performances across competitions this year means that, despite being the one to finally break Spurs' trophy drought, the Australian's future remains up in the air. As ever, Postecoglou himself remained undeterred, saying the future looks bright regardless.
"I'll be honest. I've been finding it really weird talking about my future when we've done something unprecedented. I've got to answer the questions because nobody else is in a position to do so. Part of me is thinking why am I even being asked the question.
"I've got no doubt though that this could be a really defining moment for this club. Wherever I've been I've made an impact for a club after they haven't tasted it for a while and they push on, even after I've gone.
"My gut feeling is I feel right now that I’ve done something that no one believed I could. And I shouldn’t be sitting here talking about it [his future]. That’s my feeling, but it is what it is.
"As I said I am and probably I am talking now because I’m tired, mate. I have to [speak] about another game and I just want to go on a break and enjoy my family and reflect on being part of something unbelievably special."
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Keeping Romero key
Should Postecoglou still be in charge for the start of next season then overseeing a productive transfer window will be his first priority.
"[We will improve] if we do get some good experience in the transfer window, with experienced players. I'm not talking age so much as experience at this level.
"Every club that gets into the Champions League sees it as a chance to strengthen with players who are comfortable at that level, not stepping up to the level."
If experience is what the 59-year-old is after, making sure World Cup winner Cristian Romero is still at the club will be imperative. The Argentine missed the loss against Brighton, with Postecoglou revealing after the Europa League final that he had been playing through a toe injury for some time.
"I think Romero is absolutely important to keep at this football club. You just saw the way he's been in recent games and he hasn't been entirely fit with his toe. The lads respect him highly and he makes them walk taller."
Part of the dressing room leadership group alongside James Maddison and Heung-min Son, Romero has been linked with the likes of Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.
"For me it's a no brainer with players like him. If he goes who do you replace him with? There aren't a lot of players out there like him. It's very important to keep him and for the long term."
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Tottenham will be 'in a much stronger position' next season
Elaborating on the speculation over his future at Spurs, Postecoglou discussed the progress the team has made during his tenure in terms of meeting trophy and Champions League targets.
"From my perspective, I made decisions that I felt were giving us the best chance of achieving the goal we needed to achieve this year and that has affected our league form. If people don’t want to take that into account, then there is nothing I can say to explain it any better than that."
The 'decisions' are likely echoing Postecoglou's admission after the Europa League final that, from January onwards, his focus was squarely on delivering the club's greatest success in Europe since 1984, rather climbing places in the league table.
"I came to the club and we had finished eighth. I didn’t take over a club that had finished second. They had no European football to speak of. Lost the one player [Harry Kane] who probably guarantees you European football. That was my starting point.
"At the end of two years, I’ve got the club a trophy it has been crying out for, Champions League football, we finished fifth last year. Either people are saying 'last year it was a huge anomaly for us to finish fifth' or this is what we deliver right."
It has been a long, toiling season, producing extraordinary highs amid a barrage of lows. Postecoglou concluded by reiterating his belief in the squad going forward.
"I have got no doubt next year we will be in a much stronger position, challenging for the top places. I have got no doubt we will tackle the Champions League with the same determination that we tackled the Europa League. I have no doubts about that.
"If people are seeking any more evidence about me, then there is nothing I’m going to say that’s going to convince them if they haven’t seen it in the last two years."
