The Remarkable Legacy of Ange Postecoglou: From Celtic to Tottenham and Beyond
Celtic fans will undoubtedly look back on the era of Ange Postecoglou with great fondness and pride. When the Greek-born Australian arrived at Celtic Park, he was, at best, an unknown quantity to many outside of footballing circles. His appointment was met with skepticism and even doubt, with numerous fans and pundits questioning who exactly this man was and what he could bring to a club that had just suffered a painful loss of the Scottish Premiership title to their arch-rivals Rangers. To make matters more complicated, Celtic was also dealing with significant internal turmoil, with the squad in need of rejuvenation and the club’s direction uncertain.
However, Postecoglou wasted no time in introducing himself to the Celtic faithful—and what a dramatic introduction it was. It’s important to remember that this was a man who arrived at Celtic not only with a new vision for the club, but with a passion and belief that would soon become contagious throughout the team. In less than a season, Postecoglou transformed the club’s fortunes. Through a mixture of shrewd tactical decisions, innovative ideas, and a bold approach to squad-building, Postecoglou led Celtic to a domestic treble in his first season, marking a spectacular turnaround from the disarray he inherited.
His recruitment strategy became one of the standout features of his tenure. Postecoglou had a unique ability to spot talent in players that others may have overlooked, and he turned many of these lesser-known figures into stars. The likes of Alistair Johnston and Kyogo Furuhashi, for instance, were players who had relatively low profiles before Postecoglou arrived, yet under his guidance, they became key figures in Celtic’s rise. These players have continued to thrive even under the leadership of Brendan Rodgers, who succeeded Postecoglou.
But while Postecoglou’s influence is evident in those players who flourished at Celtic, there is one name that still sparks debate among supporters—Ben Doak. The young winger, who had been a boyhood Celtic fan, made the controversial decision to leave the club for Liverpool at a time when many believed his path to the first team at Celtic was already set. Doak had made a handful of appearances under Postecoglou, but his departure raised eyebrows.
Scott Allan, a former Celtic player, has weighed in on the situation, and he believes Doak made the right choice by moving to Liverpool. Allan pointed out that Doak was facing stiff competition for a regular spot in the Celtic lineup, with the likes of Jota, James Forrest, and Liel Abada already firmly established. At Liverpool, however, Doak found a slightly easier path to first-team football, where he could showcase his lightning pace and raw talent. While Doak’s journey since leaving Glasgow has had its ups and downs, including a loan spell at Championship side Middlesbrough, Allan believes his former colleague’s decision to make the move was a wise one.
“Ben Doak has that top-level pace, something we don’t see a lot of in this country,” Allan said, emphasizing the unpredictability that makes the young winger such a dangerous player. “Celtic did a lot of good work with him, but at the time he left, with all the competition in the Celtic squad, I thought he definitely made the right decision.”
Despite the fact that Doak is still fighting for regular playing time at Liverpool, especially with their star player Mohamed Salah’s contract situation likely to open up opportunities in the future, Allan’s reflections on Doak’s decision suggest that, in hindsight, the move to Merseyside might have been a necessary step for the player’s growth.
In the midst of this reflection on Celtic’s recent past, Postecoglou’s current situation at Tottenham Hotspur is also a major talking point. After leaving Celtic to take the reins at Spurs, the Australian manager has come under some scrutiny, particularly after three defeats in Tottenham’s last five matches. The pressure is mounting, as fans and pundits wonder whether Postecoglou can replicate his success at Celtic in the fiercely competitive environment of the Premier League.
Former Spurs player Glen Hoddle recently weighed in on Postecoglou’s performance, cautioning that while Spurs’ attacking play has been vibrant, they still need to address their defensive weaknesses. Hoddle noted that in the Scottish Premiership, Celtic dominated possession and had fewer challenges defensively, but in the Premier League, things are different. “Tottenham must learn to balance their attacking ambitions with a more solid defensive approach,” Hoddle advised, acknowledging the challenges Postecoglou faces as he adapts to a new league with different demands.
Despite the pressure on Postecoglou, it’s essential to remember that his track record is one of undeniable success. From his early managerial days with South Melbourne to his time at Brisbane Roar, Yokohama F. Marinos, and most notably at Celtic, Postecoglou has proven time and again that he knows how to build winning teams. Under his leadership, Celtic clinched two Scottish Premiership titles, two Scottish League Cups, and the Scottish Cup. His incredible treble in 2023 was a testament to his ability to instill belief and discipline in his players.
Furthermore, Postecoglou’s international success with the Australian national team cannot be overlooked. He guided the Socceroos to an Asian Cup victory in 2015, cementing his status as one of Australia’s most successful footballing figures.
At Spurs, Postecoglou is still in the early stages of his tenure, and while the pressure is mounting, his past success suggests that, given time, he could build a team capable of achieving silverware in North London. Spurs fans, much like Celtic supporters before them, will need to show patience and trust in Postecoglou’s methods. With his impressive track record of turning struggling teams into title contenders, there’s reason to believe that the silverware will eventually come to Spurs—if the club allows Postecoglou the time to build his vision.
To put things into perspective, here is a comprehensive list of Postecoglou’s trophy haul across his managerial career:
Australia U16/17: 3 x FIFA OFC Champion (2001, 2003, 2005)
Australia U19/20: 3 x FIFA OFC Champion (2001, 2002, 2005)
Australia: 1 x Asian Cup Winner (2015)
Brisbane Roar: 2 x A-League Champions (2011, 2012)
South Melbourne FC: 2 x Australian Champions (1998, 1999), OFC Champions League (1999)
Yokohama F. Marinos: Japanese Champion (2019)
Celtic: 2 x Scottish Premiership Titles (2022, 2023), 1 x Scottish Cup (2023), 2 x Scottish League Cups (2022, 2023)
At the time of writing, Postecoglou’s Spurs are in the quarter-finals of the English League Cup after a notable victory over Manchester City. If the Tottenham hierarchy can keep their nerve and trust Postecoglou’s philosophy, there is every reason to believe that he will continue his successful run and bring the club the silverware it so desperately craves.
In the grand narrative of Postecoglou’s career, his time at Celtic will forever be a chapter that resonates deeply with the club’s supporters. His impact on the team, the fans, and the entire club’s identity cannot be overstated. Now, as he navigates the challenges at Tottenham, the football world is watching closely to see if he can bring his proven formula for success to England’s top tier. Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—Ange Postecoglou’s journey is far from over.
