cCeltic supervisor Ange Postecoglou has been discussed of overdue as a “surprise candidate” for the vacant Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur jobs. The wonder must be that such hyperlinks have now not materialized faster, however it’s exhausting to combat the idea that the most efficient coaches are European or South American. Arsène Wenger got here from Japan to take over Arsenal and had an enormous affect on English soccer. Postecoglou, who in contrast to the Frenchman gained the Japanese name, is also a sport changer the world over if he heads to the Premier League and succeeds.
There isn’t any reason he would now not, equipped the appropriate membership was once selected. The adventure from Australia has been lengthy, exhausting and ambitious. “I didn’t get to this position out of luck,” he mentioned previous this week in keeping with a jibe from Rangers boss Michael Beale, who mentioned he was once lucky to have cash to spend. “I’ve worked 25 years of coaching to be trusted at a club like this. This isn’t my first job. If it was my first job maybe I’d be lucky, but it’s not – it’s 25 years of hard work.”
Postecoglou was once already skilled when he led Brisbane Roar to the A-League name in 2011 and 2012, after which delivered the 2015 Asian Cup for Australia, earlier than shifting to Japan to make Yokohama F.Marinos champions for the primary time since 2004. Then got here the decision from Celtic, a league name in its first season and a possible home treble this 12 months. Just as spectacular is the way of play and fearlessness he encourages, and the way in which he conducts himself. To say he has gained over fanatics in part of Glasgow could be a sarcasm.
There was once moderately a response in some quarters – even out of place hilarity – when he arrived in Glasgow two years in the past, one who was once born out of lack of understanding and prejudice. Winning in Australia and Japan was once now not observed as sufficient, even supposing Japan’s league is a great deal extra aggressive, and of a better high quality, than Scotland’s. The simplest doubt was once whether or not Postecoglou may just take care of the power at Celtic which exists at a degree now not observed in Japan or Australia. It seems he may just.
Postecoglou is a person who does issues his personal approach however now not even the 2015 Asian trainer of the 12 months can trade how fashionable European soccer works. There is a restrict to what somebody can do in Scotland, even at an enormous membership like Celtic or even with top-class recruitment. If the ambition is to paintings on the very best degree of worldwide soccer, the Premier League provides the most efficient alternative with cashed-up golf equipment, elite fellow coaches and international consideration.
A transfer south of the border might lead to an echo of the response heard in Scotland in 2021, particularly if the 57-year-old arrives at one of the vital larger golf equipment. Some could be not able to peer earlier good fortune as sufficient and his loss of primary European revel in, regardless of a quarter-century lengthy training occupation, might be used towards him. Famous former gamers in Europe are given large jobs once boots are hung up, however it’s the a hit and ground-breaking Australian who’s the darkish horse candidate in the back of the likes of Vincent Kompany and Frank Lampard, whose training CVs don’t examine.
Pitso Mosimane would sympathise. The South African led Mamelodi Sundowns to 5 league titles in his native land from 2013 to 2020 in addition to the 2016 CAF Champions League. He then moved north to Al-Ahly in Cairo, the place he secured two extra continental titles in 2020 and 2021 and 3 different cups. He did not even make the Fifa shortlist for trainer of the 12 months. “I just believe that a medical doctor who is from South Africa, is the same medical doctor in Europe. I believe an architect who has qualified in Africa is an architect in Europe,” mentioned Mosimane. “So, I just don’t understand when it comes to football coaching, why these things get looked at differently.”
Morocco’s Walid Regragui led the Atlas Lions to the final 4 eventually 12 months’s World Cup, simply months after profitable the continent’s Champions League but nonetheless slightly will get discussed when peak European jobs turn into to be had. “I think it’s impossible that Manchester City or Barcelona will bring an African or Arab coach, they don’t even think about it, as if we’re not worthy, as if we are ignorant in football, or we’re incapable of such a task,” he mentioned in December. There were many African gamers who’ve starred on the peak ranges in Europe however their abilities within the dugout aren’t in call for.
If Postecoglou have been to win a big Premier League task, it will now not simplest assist trade attitudes in Europe however in Africa and Asia too. Mosimane was once the primary foreigner now not from Europe and South America to train Al-Ahly and battled from the start towards the ones from his personal continent who doubted his credentials in response to not anything greater than his nationality. Such fights aren’t going to finish quickly however Postecoglou, an Australian, going to the most important league on his personal phrases could be an enormous step ahead.