Ange Postecoglou Makes Positive First Impression as Tottenham Hotspur Manager

Spurs players have returned for pre-season training in dribs and drabs as the Ange Postecoglou era begins in earnest.

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Ange Postecoglou Ready to Make His Mark

The Postecoglou Reign begins

Using social media to gauge supporter sentiment is a tricky business – although it would be fair to conclude the Spurs fanbase was less than enamoured by the prospect of Postecoglou becoming responsible for a significant rebuild. The initial hostility towards the appointment subsided as the off-season advanced, and quiet optimism replaced trepidation.

Watch: Last Word on Football‘s prediction of how Tottenham Hotspur will line up next season in Ange Postecoglou‘s first season at the club:

No Nonsense From the New Boss

Postecoglou has been typically straightforward and blunt in his early dealings with the media at Spurs. His openness and transparency endeared him to the Celtic faithful, and his no-nonsense approach also, naturally, appeals to those south of the border.

The initial disdain shown towards Postecoglou is not dissimilar to the attitude of Celtic fans when the relatively unknown Australian rocked up at Parkhead. Either by luck or design, the Celtic hierarchy encountered a manager ideally suited to the uniqueness of Scotland. The champions benefit from the largest budget in the country, and Postecoglou’s side often overwhelmed the opposition with a mixture of swagger and panache.

Posteocglou’s Non-Negotiables Will Set Tone

To diffuse tension in the early days of Postecoglou’s tenure, Celtic released a video of the manager mic’d up. He led the session and barked out orders with authority. “We never stop, we never stop,” he yelled. “We stop at half-time, and we will stop at the end of the game when we celebrate.” Due to the unfancied nature of the Australian, his early utterings carried little weight for disgruntled supporters, yet he quickly proved to be a man of his word.

Throughout Postecoglou’s reign, Celtic rarely took a step backwards. He reinvented Joe Hart as a sweeper-keeper, turned average defenders into competent inverted full-backs, marginalised non-progressive midfielders and emboldened his attackers. His ability to fuse creativity with aggression within his team soon made him a fan favourite.

Excitement Guaranteed Under Ange Postecoglou

There is little doubt Postecoglou delivers an exciting brand of football. Attacking intent was absent under Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espírito Santo and Antonio Conte. Whether his philosophy is transferable to a troubled team in the best domestic championship in Europe is dubious. The goals-against column is unlikely to be pretty – but the dullness of the recent past will, at least, be consigned to the history books.

Spurs will become one of the most visually appealing sides in the Premier League this season – helped further by creative duo James Maddison and Manor Soloman. Almost every goal-kick, throw-in, corner and free-kick will be taken urgently – and pressing from the front will be non-negotiable. Energy and youth are hallmarks of a Postecoglou side, and his early recruitment drive has seemingly set the tone.

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Ange Postecoglou’s Big Break Has Finally Arrived

Postecoglou did not threaten the top of the shortlist when Levy began his latest managerial hunt. The 57-year-old has fulfilled a career ambition by becoming the first Australian head coach in Premier League history – but attempting to remain for a prolonged period will provide his most difficult challenge yet.

Main Photo Credit: David Hudson on Flickr, CC BY 2.0