Ange Postecoglou, after overcoming initial challenges and leading Celtic to two league championships, has now been named the new manager of Tottenham Hotspur.
Signing a four-year contract, the 57-year-old former Celtic manager, who led the Scottish Premiership team to two consecutive victories, now sets his sights on Tottenham.
Postecoglou is the fourth manager to helm Spurs after Mauricio Pochettino took them to the Champions League final in 2018-19. He follows in the footsteps of Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo, and Antonio Conte.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy expressed his enthusiasm for the new appointment, lauding Postecoglou’s positive mindset, dynamic attacking strategy, and notable record of player development. Levy also highlighted the manager’s understanding of the crucial relationship between the academy and the club.
The position of manager had been vacant since Conte left in March. Cristian Stellini and Ryan Mason served as temporary replacements until Postecoglou’s appointment.
Notably, Postecoglou is the first Australian to manage a Premier League team. His accomplishments include a domestic treble in Scotland and winning five out of the six available trophies to Celtic in his tenure. He joins an exclusive club of managers – Jock Stein, Martin O’Neill, Brendan Rodgers, and Neil Lennon – who have achieved a domestic clean sweep with Celtic.
Celtic chief executive Michael Nicholson praised Postecoglou for his dedication and successful leadership at Celtic, even while expressing disappointment at his departure.
Since the departure of Conte, Spurs took 10 weeks and considered several potential successors, including Julian Nagelsmann, Luis Enrique, Arne Slot, Graham Potter, Julen Lopetegui, Rodgers, and Pochettino.
The new manager is no stranger to daunting tasks, having taken over Celtic in 2021 when they were trailing the champions, Rangers, by 25 points.
Postecoglou is now walking into a similar situation at Tottenham, with chairman Levy hunting for a new sporting director due to Fabio Paratici’s resignation after a 30-month football ban.
A high priority for Postecoglou will be managing the future of star striker Harry Kane, amidst interest from Real Madrid, as he strives to shape a team that can reestablish Spurs in the Champions League.
Postecoglou’s managerial career began in 1996 with South Melbourne. He then led the Brisbane Roar to A-League titles in 2009 and 2012. As the manager of Australia from 2013, he guided the team to the 2014 World Cup and victory in the 2015 Asian Cup. He won more trophies with Yokohama F Marinos in Japan, breaking a 15-year J-League title drought in 2019.
Arriving at Celtic two years ago as a relatively unknown figure in Scotland, Postecoglou overcame initial difficulties to deliver five trophies across two seasons. He now hopes to bring this successful record to Tottenham Hotspur.
5 comments
Wow, Spurs are really going for a new direction. let’s see how it pans out…
Gutted to see Ange leave us at Celtic. He done so well, but wish him all the best at spurs!
4th manager since Poch?? Daniel Levy sure cant make up his mind lol
Postecoglou, an Australian in the Premier League – that’s something fresh, I’m intrigued…
Still remember when Postecoglou arrived at Celtic, was a bit of an unknown quantity, but look at him now!