Who is Ange Postecoglou?

In recent years, the Premier League has been the irresistible destination for most top managers in the game (Zinedine Zidane notwithstanding). At one point, England’s top managers boasted of 9 Champions League titles between them - with most of them coming from tenth-placed Everton’s Don Carlo. Even outside of the European elites, the ‘rest of’ the league's managerial positions were stacked with hot prospects such as Graham Potter, Mikel Arteta and later Thomas Frank and co. Making up the bottom half of the table, well-established and experienced coaches like Sean Dyche, Roy Hodgson and Marco Bielsa occupied the touchline, ensuring England’s top division was stacked top-to-bottom with tactical nous.

So have Spurs bucked the trend by going for a relatively unknown manager in Ange Postecoglou? Before his time at Celtic, Postecoglou’s experience only went as far as Greece, Australia and Japan, but who’s to say that doesn’t mean he has the capability to manage at the highest level? We don’t know that until he gets the chance. It offers a refreshing approach compared to the prevalence of nepotism we have grown accustomed to, where individuals with connections rather than proven qualifications often secured top positions in the industry. It may still be seen as a gamble that Spurs can ill-afford to lose, especially considering Ange’s style is a stark contrast to that of his predecessors in Mourinho and Conte.

Postecoglou’s philosophy, in his own words, is four words long - “keep the ball down.” His attacking style as a coach was born during his time as a player under manager Ferenc Puskas, who as you may know, literally has an award named after him which is gifted to the male or female judged to have scored the “most beautiful” goal of the season. His style is aesthetically pleasing and yet uncompromising. Tottenham can expect an eyebrow-raising start to his tenure, as is par for the course under Ange. Whether the players buy into his game or not, whether his job depends on it or not, his values and philosophy will prevail.

Perhaps this is exactly what the doctor ordered at Spurs. The main difference between Ange’s and Mourinho/Conte’s steadfast nature is the Australian’s ability to work with the board above him. He has previously earned praise for his relationship with those in power and this could be the key to his time in North London. The Tottenham players are crying out for discipline both on and off the pitch and those that don’t buy in, will be promptly shown the door. At least this time, the board will likely be on the side of their new head coach.

Only time will tell how Ange Postecoglou will take to the Premier League. The only guarantee is drama, of which Spurs have had their fair share of over the last couple of years. Let’s hope for their sake that this time, the drama is at the top-end of the table.