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Tottenham Hotspur’s Europa League victory last season marked the club’s first major trophy in 17 years.

The North London side’s win over Manchester United in the final came despite a disappointing Premier League campaign, one that eventually led to the dismissal of manager Ange Postecoglou.

Now that time has passed since the Australian coach’s departure, one of his former players, James Maddison, has reflected fondly on what they achieved together under his guidance.

“Winning a trophy with Spurs was something truly special,” Maddison told FourFourTwo when asked about his proudest career moments. “Playing for England and walking out at Wembley with my family there was another dream come true.”

He added, “It’s hard to top those two. Being part of the team that won the Europa League means a great deal to me.”

Tottenham had endured several close calls in recent years, and Maddison believes that Postecoglou’s emphasis on understanding and embracing the club’s history was crucial in finally ending their long wait for silverware.

“Ange always reminded us that the walls at the training ground were filled with black-and-white photos of past Tottenham teams who had lifted trophies,” Maddison recalled. “He told us we could be the ones to change that — to bring colour back to those walls.”

“And we did,” he said proudly.

Postecoglou, who previously managed Celtic, was relieved of his duties less than three weeks after Tottenham’s Europa League triumph in Bilbao. His next managerial spell at Nottingham Forest lasted just 39 days, covering eight matches.

For Maddison, however, Postecoglou’s influence remains a defining part of that successful European campaign, Tottenham’s first continental silverware since the 1984 UEFA Cup.

“He was such a commanding presence, a truly powerful man,” Maddison said. “You held on to every word he spoke. We took his message to heart — and we changed things.”

“The victory parade was incredible,” he added. “Seeing how much it meant to the Tottenham fans was amazing. It was something really special to be part of.”

Maddison shared his reflections while attending the launch of PUMA’s new flagship store on Oxford Street in London, the brand’s first major European retail space.

— Reported by Chris Flanagan, Senior Staff Writer