Ange Postecoglou wants all of his players to toil hard for the second balls and get possession back as quickly as possible to hit the opposition on the counter. The midfielders, in particular, have to work up and down the pitch and with as much pace because the tempo of Tottenham’s games is much higher than some of the other teams in the league.
As the Lilywhites carry on under his guidance, it’s interesting to dig into what makes him tick. Ange recently had a chat with Sky Sports about how his old man’s influence has been key in shaping how he sees football and what makes his teams play the way they do.
“My dad was a man of his generation. He wasn’t what we would deem the perfect parent in today’s terms because he was hardly around, working hard. But that rubs off on you. Hard work is something that I talk about a lot.”
“It’s one thing to be passionate about something, but are you willing to match that passion with outworking everyone else? We were immigrants, and he understood the value of treating every person the same. I’ve tried to do that, particularly in football. I deal with young people from all different sorts of backgrounds, cultures, and values. I need to appreciate that.”
Working hard for the family even if that comes at the cost of not having enough time to spend with them. That’s what Big Ange’s father did, and that seemingly had a big say in how Ange thinks things have to be done. It is important to work twice as hard as the next person to make sure you’re the best at what you do.
Ange’s dad, a proper grafter, drilled into him the importance of hard work. This ethic is now at the core of Ange’s management style. He reckons talent has to see itself backed up by relentless effort. Think of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Adding to that, he also spoke about his life as an immigrant in Australia. He moved Down Under from Greece at the age of five. What that brings with it is the importance of not feeling left out, and wanting to be treated as equals.
In today’s multicultural football world, managing a diverse squad means you’ve certainly got to be clued up and understanding. Ange’s upbringing in an immigrant family taught him the importance of treating everyone equally, no matter where they’re from. This approach helps him connect with his players on a personal level. That creates a sense of unity and mutual respect in the squad.
Ange’s all about hard graft, and he expects the same from his players. He has made it crystal clear that outworking the competition is key to success. This relentless pursuit of excellence is clear in Spurs’ playing style – high pressing, constant movement, and sticking to the game plan no matter what.
Ange’s journey from an immigrant family to managing one of the Premier League’s top clubs is surely inspiring. It is just another example of where hard work and dedication can take you.
