Tottenham Hotspur has officially announced the appointment of Ange Postecoglou, the former Celtic coach, as their new manager. Postecoglou has signed a four-year contract with the English Premier League club, marking a significant milestone as the first Australian to manage a team in the prestigious Premier League. He is set to assume his role at Spurs starting from July 1.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy expressed his enthusiasm about Ange Postecoglou’s appointment, highlighting his positive mentality and fast, attacking style of play. Levy also emphasized Postecoglou’s proven ability to develop players and his understanding of the club’s commitment to nurturing talent from the academy. With great anticipation for the upcoming season, the club is thrilled to welcome Ange to their ranks.
Ange Postecoglou, a 57-year-old former Australian international, recently achieved remarkable success by leading Celtic, a Scottish Premiership club, to a domestic treble during the current season. As Spurs’ new permanent boss, he will be taking over from Antonio Conte.
Throughout the managerial search, Tottenham Hotspur was linked with several high-profile names such as Arne Slot from Feyenoord, Xabi Alonso from Bayer Leverkusen, and former Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann. Ultimately, the club chose Postecoglou as the ideal candidate for the position.
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Ange Postecoglou as our new Head Coach on a four-year contract
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) June 6, 2023
Challenging Task Awaits Ange Postecoglou as Tottenham’s New Manager
After the departure of Antonio Conte in a contentious manner in March, Cristian Stellini and Ryan Mason assumed interim managerial roles at Tottenham Hotspur. Unfortunately, the team’s performance during the season was disappointing, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the league and the absence of European football for the first time since the 2009-10 season.
In addition to the managerial instability, the club has faced another setback with the loss of Fabio Paratici, the managing director of football. Paratici recently failed to overturn a 30-month ban following his involvement in a false accounting scandal that implicated his former club, Juventus.
The mounting pressure from supporters to make the right appointment reflects the growing unrest caused by Tottenham’s prolonged trophy drought. Chairman Daniel Levy faces heightened expectations as he seeks to address these concerns and bring about positive changes within the club.
After the unsuccessful endeavors with José Mourinho and Antonio Conte, both renowned for their pragmatic and defensive-first coaching styles, Daniel Levy, chairman of Tottenham Hotspur, seems to have shifted his strategy. It appears that Levy has reverted to his previous approach of hiring a manager who favors expansive football and promotes the development of younger players.
Ange Postecoglou, as the newly appointed manager, may face the initial task of persuading star striker Harry Kane to remain at Spurs. With just one year left on his contract, Kane has been the subject of transfer speculation, with potential moves to Manchester United and Real Madrid being mentioned during the summer transfer window.
During the past season, Kane achieved significant milestones by surpassing Jimmy Greaves’ long-standing record of 266 goals, becoming Tottenham’s all-time leading scorer. He also set a new record for the England national team, having scored 55 goals. With 213 Premier League goals to his name, Kane is closing in on Alan Shearer’s all-time record of 260 goals in the league.
Australian Football Celebrates with ‘Pride’ as Ange Postecoglou Takes Over at Tottenham
Ange Postecoglou has demonstrated consistent success throughout his coaching career spanning over 26 years. Prior to joining Tottenham Hotspur, he enjoyed a fruitful tenure at Celtic, having arrived from Yokohama F Marinos, a prominent J1 League club, in June 2021. In his first season, Postecoglou played a pivotal role in helping Celtic reclaim the Scottish Premiership title.
His accomplishments extend beyond Scotland. While coaching in Japan, he guided Yokohama F Marinos to their first league championship in 15 years, an impressive feat achieved in 2019.
Postecoglou’s coaching experiences also encompass notable spells at Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory. Furthermore, he served as the head coach of the Australian national team for four years, during which he successfully led the Socceroos to the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The following year, he guided the team to their first major title by securing victory at the Asian Cup.
James Johnson, the CEO of Football Australia, lauded Postecoglou’s appointment at Spurs, emphasizing his unwavering determination, skill, and visionary leadership. This new chapter in Postecoglou’s career is a testament to his exceptional qualities as a coach.
The appointment of Ange Postecoglou as the manager of Tottenham Hotspur is not only a significant achievement for the club but also a source of immense pride for Australian football. It serves as a testament to the ongoing golden age of Australian football, with an increasing number of coaches making their mark on the global stage and Australian players gaining prominence in various European leagues, particularly in Great Britain.
This milestone further solidifies the growing influence and reputation of Australian football, showcasing the talent and expertise that exists within the country. The success of Ange Postecoglou serves as an inspiration and symbolizes the progress being made by Australian coaches and players on the international football scene.
