After what seems like an eternity, Celtic's search for a new manager is finally over. But who is Ange Postecoglou? As it turns out, he might be one of the most reliable managers you've never heard of. He also plays a very attacking brand of football.
The Glasgow club are desperately in need of a rebuild, and with their cross city rivals seemingly in a good position for success in the medium term at least, Celtic need to get this appointment right.
Eddie Howe seemed like an ideal fit and would have arrived at Celtic Park in a similar position to Brendan Rodgers. That worked out fairly well and there were high hopes the former Bournemouth manager would have gone down a similar route.
However, the move did not come to fruition. Once negotiations broke down, it quickly became clear that who is Ange Postecoglou was next in line for the role.
“Celtic is one of THE names in world football, of that there is no doubt – a giant of a club, a proper footballing institution and so much more – real history, real substance, real authenticity and real soul."
📺 Watch the full interview on the Club's Official YouTube channel 👇— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) June 10, 2021
Who is Ange Postecoglou?
Born in Athens in 1965, Postecoglou moved with his family to Melbourne at the age of five. It is here he would spend his entire playing career in football, lining out for South Melbourne and Western Suburbs. He also earned four caps for Australia along the way.
It was in management that he would really start to make his name in the game.
Having coached South Melbourne (where he won two national titles) and the Australian U17 and U20 sides, Postecoglou would make a brief foray to Greece to manage Panachaiki in 2008. That stint didn't last too long, with the now 55-year old taking the reins at Brisbane Roar the following year.
It was here that he would make a real splash. Brisbane would win two league championships under his management, at one point embarking on a 36-game unbeaten streak. That mark was the longest undefeated run of any professional team in Australian sport, surpassing the mark set by the Eastern Suburbs rugby league team 74 years previous.
Postecoglou also became the first manager to win four national titles in the process, while his team were said to play some of the most attractive even seen in the Australian league.
He would move to Melbourne Victory in 2012, and while he didn't quite enjoy the same success, the team performed to a high level. They reached two consecutive A-League Preliminary Finals before he was poached by the Australian national team.
Postecoglou was tasked with undertaking a major rebuild with Australia, with many of their previous 'golden generation' from the 2006 World Cup no longer fit for purpose.
He did it remarkably quickly, although they still finished bottom of their incredibly tough group at the 2014 World Cup, one which contained Spain, The Netherlands, and Chile.
They used this tournament experience at the Asian Cup the following year, with Australia winning the event for the first team in their history. They also did it on home soil.
Ange Postecoglou talking about the fitness of his Australia team that beat South Korea in the Asian cup final in extra time after conceding a late equaliser pic.twitter.com/wPWUXFEoHm
— Sean (@sean66915299) May 30, 2021
After leading the nation to qualification for the 2018 World Cup, he would resign at the end of 2017.
He would quickly be appointed manager of Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan, experiencing mixed fortunes. They would reach the final of the J-League Cup and also end the season as the second top scorers in the league despite being far from the most talented squad. However, they also conceded the third most goals in the division and ended up in 12th place after initial fears about a possible relegation.
Those early growing pains paid off the following season, where Postecoglou would lead the club to a first league title in 15 years. For those counting, that's his fifth league title.
The Answer For Celtic?
Postecoglou has been appointed on a 12-month rolling contract, meaning there has been no long-term commitment from the club.
He will certainly need funds to rebuild this squad, something that should be forthcoming should they sell the likes of Odsonne Edouard.
Celtic supporters will certainly be hoping for some rapid improvements.
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