Tottenham signed Ange Postecoglou for four years. The 57-year-old, the first Australian to manage in the Premier League, starts on July 1 with a congested inbox, with Harry Kane’s future the biggest worry.
Postecoglou will want answers on Kane quickly, especially as Hugo Lloris wants to leave and a new captain is needed. Kane, with 12 months left on his contract, will be it if kept.
If Manchester United, Real Madrid, or another high-profile suitor offers huge money for the England captain, Daniel Levy will face a decision. Levy won’t sell to an English rival. The club hopes Postecoglou can inspire Kane to sign a new contract.
Kane has stated that Spurs had lost their cultural identity since the 2014-19 Mauricio Pochettino era. Postecoglou knows he must restore values and a connection between players and fans, who were mutinous at the end of this season when the team finished eighth, outside the European places for the first time since 2008-09. Levy’s expulsion was chanted often.
Antonio Conte, the club’s former permanent manager, complained about being the sole public representative on almost everything, but Postecoglou may be able to fix the club’s communications issues. Oratorically, he excels.
Postecoglou will work with a new sporting director to increase recruitment after Fabio Paratici resigned in April.
Two years after José Mourinho’s dismissal, Levy stressed the necessity to hire a manager who fits the club’s “DNA” of free-flowing football and youth advancement. He thinks he has his man after Nuno Espírito Santo and Conte.
“Ange brings a positive mentality and a fast, attacking style,” Levy remarked. “He develops players well and knows the importance of the academy link—everything our club values.”
After joining Celtic at a low point in 2021, Postecoglou excelled. He won five of six home trophies but struggled in Europe. He coached Australia to its first international prize, the 2015 AFC Asian Cup. And won league titles with South Melbourne, Brisbane Roar, and Yokohama F. Marinos.
Postecoglou wished Celtic “nothing but continued success”. “They wanted me to extend my time at Celtic and while I am so respectful and understanding of their position, a new opportunity has been presented to me and it is one which I wanted to explore,” he said of the board.
Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson said, “We wanted Ange to stay with us and while there is a real disappointment that we are losing him, he has decided he wants to look at a new challenge, which we respect.”
