Ange Postecoglou acknowledges that he owes Newcastle manager Eddie Howe gratitude for his unintentional assistance on his way to Tottenham.
For the first time, Postecoglou and Howe will square off on Sunday, but in the summer of 2021, they were the talk of Glasgow.
It was generally anticipated that Howe would accept the vacant Celtic position, but after protracted talks, Howe declined, and Postecoglou was appointed instead.
After winning five titles in his two years in Scotland, the Australian never looked back, and Spurs were persuaded to offer the 58-year-old his first chance as a Premier League manager. “Oh yeah, the sliding doors moment,” Postecoglou said.
Perhaps the most important decision I’ve made in being here today is Eddie rejecting the Celtic job offer. “I should really thank him; I haven’t.”
After leading Tottenham to the top flight peak in October, Postecoglou swiftly stormed the Premier League upon his arrival. However, the last six weeks have seen a five-match losing streak and an increasing list of absentees.
However, the seasoned coach emphasized, “The pressure is the pressure, you know,” and expressed no intention of panicking.
It’s how you handle it that matters; it’s never gone away, but I’ve never allowed it to dictate how I should go. I don’t personally have a three- or five-year plan in the works that is sure to be successful. I do, however, believe I have a plan that will lead us to our destination.
It’s your level of commitment and focus on continuing down the route you’ve set out for yourself. That’s what I’m not going to change; I’m that stubborn. That’s just what I think is the most sensible course of action.
Spurs are still without eight first-team players for their encounter on Sunday, despite the recent return of Pape Sarr and Richarlison. Spurs’ injuries to Micky van de Ven and James Maddison have been costly.
Lewis Miley, 17, has made an impression over the previous month since Newcastle has an equally huge number of players on the injured list.
Postecoglou acknowledged that if they don’t score goals, he may turn to 18-year-old Jamie Donley of Tottenham Under-21, even though the team now features a number of his own academy products.
“It’s safe to say that, in terms of injuries, Newcastle is arguably the only other club that has experienced anything like we have.” Every team would be impacted by it, but Postecoglou said, “I think they’ve battled through it reasonably well, very well in fact.”
Every day, players have the chance to demonstrate their abilities and provide me with selection fodder.
“If I’m not doing something, there’s a reason for that, but it doesn’t mean it won’t change the following week or the week after that.” Of course, Jamie seems to be growing. He now regularly trains with us, which has been beneficial.
“He is a permanent fixture here, and if he continues to develop the way he is, I think he will get an opportunity in a game as well in the context of our next few games.”
