Ange Postecoglou was appointed as Tottenham Hotspur’s new manager in June 2023, therefore becoming the first Australian and the first Greek to manage in the Premier League.
As Celtic boss over the last two years he had a brilliant stint, winning five trophies, including a domestic treble last season. Postecoglou has also managed the Australian national team, Melbourne Victory, Brisbane Roar and Yokohama Marinos.
His time in Europe, Australasia and Asia has proven to be productive and several players who had impressed him during his stay in Asia joined him at Celtic. These players include Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi, Yuki Kobayashi and Reo Hatate.
During his two seasons at Celtic, Postecoglou’s team had a huge focus on wing play. The players out wide in the side would have the ball regularly and they would be pushed up against the by line, to help create space in the middle of the park.
The Australian has a focus on an attacking style of play, with counter-pressing being a key element to the way his teams play. A 4-5-1 set-up when counter-pressing helps to bring two extra men into the midfield battles and then his teams would transition into a 4-3-3 formation when they are in possession.
The way Postecoglou plays could be hugely beneficial to Spurs, with key players in their team such as Heung-Min Son and Dejan Kulusevski who are comfortable and confident on the ball, being a real focus point.
With an attacking philosophy being implemented, the chances of the forwards scoring more goals should be increased, which could be music to Richarlison’s ears after a tough first campaign in London.
Tottenham have completed the permanent signings of Pedro Porro and Kulusevski this window after successful loans. The additions of Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, winger Manor Solomon, plus the signing of attacking midfielder James Maddison for £40 million, are examples of the backing that the new manager has received.
After a lacklustre 2022-23 campaign, there have been whispers of Spurs needing a rebuild to help them climb up the table.
Tottenham fans will hope that the new additions Postecoglou has made so far will instantly help push the North London side further up the table, with Maddison regarded as one of the best creative midfielders in the Premier League.
A forward thinking style of play could see the England international at the heart of so many attacks next season and he should be a key figure in Spurs’ play.
No European football for Tottenham could come as a blessing in disguise, as they will have a week off in between matches for most of the season, meaning they can heavily focus on their league campaign.
The lack of trophies in recent seasons for Spurs has added pressure onto managers of the club but with no European commitment, it should allow Postecoglou to balance all the competitions his team plays more easily.
The uncertain future of Harry Kane is a hindrance at the club, as they could either cash in on the striker and inject the money into multiple players, or run the risk of losing the club’s all-time top goal-scorer on a free transfer next summer.
If Spurs can win silverware next season and show strides of improvement on the pitch, it could be enough to lure Kane into signing a new deal at the club.
