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6 months ago
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Ange Postecoglou is now a globally respected football manager in charge of Tottenham - but he has proved he will never forget where he came from with a revealing comment about what he misses about living a low-profile life in Australia.
'Aussie Ange' has also come a long way from managing Panachaiki in the Greek third division and state league outfit Whittlesea Zebras in Melbourne.
Currently visiting his hometown ahead of Spurs' clash with fellow Premier League side Newcastle United at the MCG on Wednesday night, Postecoglou told reporters he has fond - and very Aussie - memories of his carefree days growing up Down Under.
'It's fair to say my life has changed a bit,' he said with a wry smile. 'I used to go to the pub and watch Cold Chisel play when I was here.'
Postecoglou also revealed once he eventually retires from top-level management, a stint in Greece - where he was born - is on the cards, but football won't play a part.
Ange Postecoglou is now a globally respected football manager in charge of Tottenham in the Premier League - but the proud Aussie will never forget where he came from
On Wednesday night at the MCG, Postecoglou's Spurs take on Newcastle United as part of 'Global Football Week' (pictured, Postecoglou with Tottenham star Son Heung-in)
In 1999, 'Aussie Ange' won a National Soccer League title with South Melbourne as head coach - where he also previously won silverware as a player (pictured)
'It's definitely in my future that you will see me in Greece,' he said when quizzed about whether he would entertain the thought of coaching the nation, given his heritage.
He then added: 'But it's more likely to be on an island and a sunbed.'
In recent years, Postecoglou has been serenaded by Rod Stewart in Glasgow when in charge of Celtic FC, not to mention having a song penned in his honour by pop superstar Robbie Williams after a flying start in London.
The level of scrutiny the Premier League brings has been challenging at times, but the former Socceroos boss embraces his chaotic lifestyle.
'You can't avoid it. It [football] is on the telly 24/7. It's everywhere you look,' he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
'A lot of people thought I'd struggle with it. [But] for me, that's what I've been craving my whole career.
'The frustrating thing for me was when I was in [previous] environments where people didn't care as much at times. Whereas now, I'm smack bang in the middle of the football universe.
'My first year, wherever I've been, is always fairly turbulent. But the [Spurs] players bought into it ... and even when we had injuries, we got into the tough grind.'
Postegoclou oversaw a golden era at the Brisbane Roar (pictured right, with the A-League premiership plate in 2011)
In 2015, Postecoglou guided the Socceroos to Asian Cup glory on home soil
At club level after departing the Socceroos, further success followed at Yokohama F.Marinos in Japan (pictured)
Next was Scottish giants Celtic, where Postecoglou won trophies before moving to Tottenham
Postecoglou also thrives on being underestimated, but knows he can't rest on his laurels in England as he prepares for his second campaign at the helm.
When star striker Harry Kane departed last August - not long after Postecoglou joined the club - grim times were predicted in London by many 'experts'.
Despite his detractors, Postecoglou persisted with his attacking brand of football - and Spurs finished a credible fifth in the league, ahead of the likes big spending Chelsea, Wednesday night's opponents Newcastle and Manchester United.
European club football now awaits, starting in August.
Not bad for an 'unproven' manager, who first won silverware with South Melbourne in the defunct National Soccer League in 1999 followed by back-to-back A-League titles with Brisbane Roar between 2010 and 2012.
He also guided the Socceroos to an Asian Cup triumph in 2015, Yokohama F. Marinos to the championship in Japan four years later and Celtic to successive titles in Scotland, starting in 2022.
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