Ange Postecoglou has never been shy about voicing his opinion and the Australian has now made a passionate claim about his former employers Celtic.
Big Ange set to return to Celtic after Nottingham Forest release
Few directors in recent memory have ridden the roller coaster quite like Mr. Postecoglou.
The Australian was the Europa League winner last year, the man who ended Tottenham’s 17-year trophy drought. By last summer, Daniel Levy had been shown the door anyway after a disastrous season in the Premier League.
Then came the game against Nottingham Forest. It was a short and tumultuous period that lasted just 39 days before Evangelos Marinakis retired after losing six of eight matches.
Mr. Postecoglou was refreshingly honest about Forrest. He takes responsibility for the decision and claims it was a premature mistake after leaving Spurs, when he was keen to get back to work without properly considering whether the situation was right for him.
He admits that the environment at the City Ground was not truly set up for the kind of football he required. He stepped into something that would never work out, and he knows it.
Now 60 years old and without a club, Postecoglou is valuing his time.
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He has been candid about his next move, saying he needs the right conditions, a club that truly understands his method, shares his ambitions and gives him a chance to win.
He’s lived it throughout his career, from Brisbane Roar to Melbourne Victory, Yokohama F. Marinos to Glasgow, and he’s still not willing to compromise on those standards.
Now let’s talk about the Celts.
Ever since the departure of Brendan Rodgers, followed by a revolving door of interim and permanent managers, and most recently Martin O’Neill wrapping things up as manager, some of the Parkhead faithful have dared to dream of their beloved Big Ange returning.
That yearning is completely understandable, given what he has built in his two seasons at Glasgow, winning five trophies and transforming the club’s culture.
There were reports that Postecoglou could return to Celtic, but unfortunately for the Bhoys, those reports have now been retracted by Postecoglou himself.
Ange Postecoglou makes ‘crazy’ claims about potential return to Celtic
Postecoglou appeared on The Overlap podcast and warmly and lovingly, but decisively, put an end to that dream.
However, he took the time to pay tribute to the club, saying how much he loved his time in Scotland and how he was still amazed by the “crazy” passion of the supporters.
“I loved Celtic, what a football club,” he said.
“If I was younger, I probably would have been there longer, probably three or four years.
“I think I could have progressed with them in Europe, but back then… it took a long time to get to this kind of space and the opportunity to join Tottenham was too good.
“In terms of going back, I’m not going back, I just don’t think that’s my career.
“Whatever the next step is, it’s going to be something new, something I can influence, something I can win somewhere. But that doesn’t diminish the love I have for it.
“It’s been a great experience for two years, to be around such a passionate community… I mean how crazy their passion is for the football club.
“Of course I was lucky to be successful, so it was a positive experience, but I enjoyed every moment.”
There’s no anger or bitterness in his words, just the pure warmth of a man who clearly feels close to the Celts.
The supporters gave him everything and he gave everything back to them. Memories are real and cherished.
However, Postecoglou is a man who never looks back, always looking forward. Wherever he goes next, it will be somewhere new. Celtic’s search for a permanent manager continues and they will likely have to look elsewhere.
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