Super League ‘will happen’ after what was just seen at Tottenham
Richard Keys believes Ange Postecoglou has made it clear the Europa League is Tottenham’s priority in the closing weeks of the season.
Ange Postecoglou’s side fell to a 1-0 defeat at AZ Alkmaar away from home last week due to a Lucas Bergvall own goal and need to overturn the tie at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday (14 March).
With Spurs residing in 13th in the Premier League and out of both domestic cups, there is big pressure on Tottenham now that the Europa League is their last chance of silverware and European football next term.
Richard Keys makes Super League claim
It has been a hugely underwhelming season for Tottenham this term with league form well off the expected levels, in part due to a shocking injury record.
Postecoglou’s men were knocked out of the EFL Cup in the semi-finals after falling to pieces in the second leg against Liverpool before being knocked out of the FA Cup at the hands of Aston Villa.
This leaves the Europa League as the only trophy left on offer for Spurs this term and the pressure is on for Postecoglou, who has regularly made it clear he wins trophies in his second season at a club..
| Compeition | Result |
| Premier League | 13th (as it stands) |
| Europa Leauge | 1-0 down in the round of 16 |
| Carabao Cup | Knocked out in semi-final |
| FA Cup | Knocked out in fourth round |
There have been questions over the manager’s decision-making and stubbornness this term, and the Europa League could be key to him keeping his job.
With so much riding on the result of the game, beIN SPORTS presenter Keys has questioned if the way managers are prioritising European football over domestic results is part of a cultural change towards prioritising a Super League in the coming years, despite an original idea receiving such huge backlash.
He wrote on his blog (10 March): “Tottenham’s team v Bournemouth made clear Postecoglou’s intentions. It’s Europe or bust for him. And Amorim. And Arteta now. And Maresca.
“Wait a minute. Are we seeing the seeds of a Super League being sown? An era where success in Europe is considered more important than domestic success?
“It’s a subject for another time – but mark my words, it will happen. Maybe not in my time doing this job – but it will happen.”
Postecoglou needs Europa League win with Tottenham
As Keys points out, Tottenham are not the only side that finds themselves in a tough position with not a lot left to play for this term, but it feels as though Keys is off with his analysis of this.
Even if Tottenham win the Europa League this season, it certainly won’t be seen as a successful campaign for the Lilywhites but more as something that salvages it and can be built upon going forward.
Manchester United probably see it similarly while Arsenal have just seen their title hopes written off after a draw with the Red Devils.
Therefore, it doesn’t feel like clubs are prioritising European football but naturally when their Premier League season is over, they do have to put that at the front of their minds in order to have achieved something in the campaign.
What’s more, Tottenham’s performance against AZ Alkmaar in the first leg was certainly not showing any signs of a team that were prioritising that competition over everything else.
The Lilywhites have to score a minimum of two goals on Thursday to see themselves through but if they play anything like they did in the away leg, it could be a tall order.