Man City could surpass Tottenham’s European legacy: A look at how the 2019 UCL final defeat led to this point

Tottenham Hotspur was the first English club to win a European trophy. They sparked the beginning of decades of success for British clubs in continental football. Spurs also won the inaugural UEFA Cup competition in 1974, and for a long time, they were one of England’s most successful clubs in Europe.

Despite adding another UEFA Cup to their accolades and appearing in many European finals consistently since, unfortunately, other Premier League clubs have overshadowed the Spurs.

Tottenham has had a tendency to fall at the final hurdle while on their quest to win football’s greatest trophies. There have been several standout occasions in which they have let the game’s greatest prizes slip away from their grasp, but nothing compares to the 2019 UEFA Champions League final, and the subsequent fortunes that have followed.

Manchester City could eclipse Spurs’ European legacy

Manchester City will feature in the UCL final against Inter Milan this season. Spurs departed the competition in the round of 16 against AC Milan. For those who are wagering a bet on Man City vs Inter, Pep Guardiola’s side is currently offered at a price of 4/9 to seal the trophy within 90 minutes. In the outright odds to win Champions League, City are offered at 2/9 to win the cup, in general, as they are heavy favourites. 

It’s a likely possibility that City will claim a UCL triumph to add to their Cup Winners Cup from the 1969/70 season. This would comfortably eclipse the impact that Tottenham have had on the European stage throughout their history. But how have they failed to take advantage of a golden era spearheaded by Harry Kane?

Spurs had the chance to join the European elite

Spurs miraculously reached the UCL final in 2019, they produced a shock upset victory against Manchester City on their road to the final in Madrid. They had the chance to cement their European legacy and become the newest club from England to win the UCL. But it was not to be and now City who were a struggling mid-table team less than two decades ago, could beat Spurs to achieving the greatest prize in Europe.

Behind the usual culprits of Liverpool and Manchester United, Spurs had the chance to emerge as one of England’s most illustrious clubs on the continental stage. Mauricio Pochettino’s side had peaked – a vast majority of the squad were in the primes of their career. A victory would have not only been a huge achievement in itself but it would have attracted fresh talent to the club. Liverpool however won the UCL title comfortably 2-0, and ever since Spurs have gradually declined. 

Key departures following the final defeat

Following the devastating shortcomings in Madrid, many key players left the club. Christian Eriksen joined Inter Milan, and Kieran Trippier left for Atletico Madrid. Long-term coach Pochettino was sacked months into the 2019/20 season and he seemed to take the club’s identity out of the door with him. The team has gone on to achieve a top-four finish just once since the final of 2019.

Ultimately, the Spurs blew a huge opportunity in their UCL final appearance. Victory would have initiated the inevitable growth of the squad and the club as a whole. But instead, they declined; key players left and many managers came and went.

Tottenham have lacked direction as a club, while City who they embarrassed in the UCL campaign that year, used the pain of defeat as motivation to improve further. Spurs will now not even compete in any form of European competition next season, while Guardiola’s side looks set to conquer European football.