Three Times Winning the Europa League Saved a Team’s Season
20-05-2025
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The 2025 Europa League final is just around the corner, and the Bilbao contest has an awfully strange feeling about it. Premier League giants Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur will square off at San Mames with both the trophy and a spot in next season`s Champions League on the line. And it`s that second point that makes the upcoming All-English affair perhaps the most important game in the recent history of both teams.
Both the Red Devils and Spurs have floundered domestically this term. They currently occupy 16th and 17th in the Premier League table, respectively, and are far closer to the relegation zone than they are to the top five. But despite losing far more games than they have won this term, both teams have managed to find some solace in Europe`s secondary competition.
Saving the Season
United have been on somewhat of a fairytale run. They managed to score three goals in the final five minutes of their quarterfinal against Lyon to progress, while a demolition job of Athletic Club secured their spot in the final. Tottenham, meanwhile, have had a somewhat simpler run to the final, with their victory against the first-ever Norwegian semifinalists Bodø/Glimt enough to secure their spot in the Basque Country.
The upcoming final promises to be a close one, at least if online gambling sites are to be believed. The latest odds from the popular
Bovada gambling site currently make United a narrow -125 betting favorite, with Spurs just behind at +105.
But while the winner remains unclear at present, one thing that is abundantly apparent is the fact that winning the Europa League final would somehow resurrect the disastrous seasons of both clubs.
Victory in Bilbao will seal a spot in next season`s Champions League and a big prize. United boss Ruben Amorim has stated that winning the Europa League wouldn`t mean that this season would be considered a success, but it would certainly save the Red Devils from a big financial loss at least. For Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou, the sentiment is much different.
Tottenham haven`t won a major trophy since 2008, and you have to go all the way back to 1984 for their last piece of European silverware. As such, the upcoming final is monumental, and manager Postecoglou has stated that media and opposition supporters are trying to diminish his side`s achievements in the Europa League this season as they are "worried" that his club might actually win a trophy.
He has made no secret that winning Europe`s secondary tournament would certainly save his side`s season, as well as
changing the narrative surrounding a club that is regarded by many as a constant failure. But Spurs - and United for that matter - wouldn`t be the first to have their season saved by the Europa League. Here are three other teams that have already experienced exactly that.
Eintracht Frankfurt
German outfit Eintracht Frankfurt had a disastrous 2021/22 Bundesliga season. After losing to two of the three teams that ultimately would suffer relegation, namely Hertha Berlin and Arminia Bielefeld, the Eagles had to settle for a 12th place finish. However, much like United and Spurs, they too found a safe haven in the Europa League.
No one knew what to expect of the continental campaign, but their run in Europe`s secondary competition sprang into life when Frankfurt upset heavyweights Barcelona in the quarterfinals. They then defeated Premier League side West Ham United in the semis, setting up a date with Scottish champions Rangers in the final in Seville. Despite being outclassed for long periods, the Germans managed to secure a monumental victory,
winning via a penalty shootout and securing a maiden trip to the Champions League in the season that followed.
Manchester United
Manchester United have found themselves in this position before. Back in 2017, Jose Mourinho was manager of the club, but the best the Special One could manage in the league at least was sixth place. In Europe, it was a different matter entirely.
The Red Devils didn`t face any top sides of note, defeating the likes of Saint-Étienne, FC Rostov, Anderlecht, and Celta Vigo to punch their tickets to the Stockholm final. There, they met a talented young Ajax side that would go on to reach the Champions League semi-finals two years later. However, this United team had experience on their side, and they ground out a comfortable 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan to secure the title for the first time.
Atletico Madrid
Back in 2010, Atletico Madrid were a million miles away from the force that Diego Simeone has built over the last decade. Managed by future Watford boss Quique Sánchez Flores, Los Rojiblancos finished down in ninth in La Liga. However, wins against Galatasaray, Sporting CP, and compatriots Valencia set up a meeting with Roy Hodgson`s Fulham in the final.
The Cottagers had been on a fairytale run in the tournament that year, beating heavyweights such as Juventus in their first ever continental campaign., However, Atleti proved too strong in the final, and a brace from Diego Forlan - the latter of which coming deep into extra time - was enough to seal the victory.
Two years later and Atleti would win the title again, this time under El Cholo. That particular triumph was a catalyst for a revolution of sorts at the Spanish capital`s second club. By 2014, Atleti were Spanish champions and Champions League finalists, and none of that would have been possible without their success in the Europa League.
