Credit: Imago

Carla Devine

Wed 26 February 2025 9:00, UK

Tottenham have little to zero chance of lifting silverware this season after a dreadful year, with the Europa League now their final opportunity.

The Lilywhites found themselves knocked out of the Carabao Cup one step from Wembley after losing to Liverpool while being knocked out of the FA Cup against Aston Villa.

Ange Postecoglou’s side also sits 13th in the Premier League table which has resulted in plenty of pressure being put on his job.

Europa League struggles ahead for Tottenham

There is plenty of pressure on Tottenham to deliver in the Europa League now and they are back in action next Thursday (6 March) against AZ Alkmaar.

Although there are two legs of the game, you would expect the Lilywhites to breeze into the final eight of the competition against Dutch opposition.

While the football will be on Postecoglou’s mind, Ian Herbert has put the focus on other issues Tottenham could face in their travels off the pitch.

Writing in the print edition of The Daily Mail (26 February, page 63), Herbert said: “Next week’s European fixture list is enough to make you shudder, with two of our clubs in the Dutch citadels of hooliganism – Arsenal at PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday and Tottenham at AZ Alkmaar two nights later, when Frankfurt also arrive at Ajax.

“Some aspects of continental football never left the dark ages.”

Postecoglou needs Tottenham victory in Europa League

Postecoglou will certainly be worried about events that lie ahead on the pitch against AZ Alkmaar with his side often producing inconsistent performances throughout the season.

There is no doubt that there is quality in the current Spurs squad but they seem unable to deliver this regularly.

As Postecoglou has pointed out at times, being hit by a wave of high-profile injuries has not made things easy at times throughout the campaign so far but similarly, standards have been well below the expected levels.

That being said, it does look as though the North London outfit might have turned a corner of late with three wins from their last three Premier League games.

If the trip to the Netherlands doesn’t go to plan, Postecoglou’s side does have the opportunity to put things right in the second leg.

However, too much pressure could see Spurs crumble and if the Europa League disappears from reach, there will surely continue to be conversations around whether a managerial change is needed at Tottenham.