Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has delivered a superb response to being asked about his long-term Parkhead future.
Postecoglou was brought in over the summer to give the club a total footballing rebuild. So far, he’s managed to do just that after forming a brand new team and making them title-contenders within his first season in charge.
The love-affair with supporters has also been brilliant to see after the disconnect of last season. Postecoglou has managed to bring the club together whilst providing a calm and likeable aura when speaking to the press.
Today, he was asked by 4 Tims and a Podcast about whether he would be open to staying for the next 4 or 5 years. And it’s fair to say his response was in typical Ange fashion as he again touched the heartstrings of the supporters:
“I appreciate the support I’ve had from day 1. Our fans have been outstanding. I know at the weekend they were frustrated but they’re right behind this team and they’ve been a big part of the reason why we’ve been able to stick to our beliefs and the way we want to play our football. Because the encouragement we’ve had from our supporters even when things haven’t been going smoothly or it’s looked like it’s a bit of a struggle, they see the intent.
“I’m loving being manager of this football club. I’ve never in my whole career worried about contracts. If it’s 1 glorious year then I’ll going to work as if I’m going to be here forever. That’s how I’ve always worked and that’s how I’ll continue to work. Being manager of this football club fulfils everything that I’ve ever wanted as a manager because I’m in charge of a massive football club, I get the opportunity to work at the highest level domestically and in Europe.
“I’m at a club where people are passionate about the same things I’m passionate about. But as a manager you learn to understand that sometimes your destiny’s not in your own hands. You always understand that at some point it’ll all come to an end, but I’m loving every minute of it and I hope it continues for a long time.”
Long-term contract for Ange Postecoglou not a talking point at the moment
For now, even Ange isn’t entertaining talks of long-term contracts. We’re smack bang in the middle of a title race, and the last thing he’ll want is any off-field distractions that prevent his team from getting the job done on the park.
Of course Celtic have had previous for offering managers long-term deals when they feel the timing is right. Brendan Rodgers was offered a 4-year contract after a hugely successful opening season in Glasgow [BBC]. The rewards will be there for Ange if he manages to pull off a memorable campaign too.
What’s important for us is that the manager gives off a genuine vibe that he’s happy where he is. That he does see himself at the club for a long-term. Ange comes across as a man who knows he has a big job to do. That’s important as it gives the Celtic supporters some security.
Granted, nothing is certain in football. Just as Postecoglou says his destiny isn’t always in his own hands, it’s not always the case that managers stay around when they catch a glimpse of the grass on the other side of certain fences. Again, look at Rodgers and how he headed off to Leicester City.
However, with Ange there’s a genuine humbleness when he speaks. He speaks like a man who doesn’t feel as though he deserves talk of a new long-term deal. Self-praise isn’t something Ange likes to partake in, and that showed this afternoon.
For now, a new contract isn’t something worth going much further into. Not until the season’s over and Ange has delivered big style. But his commitment to the club is brilliant to hear as his relationship with supporters grows stronger.
In other news, “I’m super excited”; Ange speaks as Celtic confirm 4-team Australian tournament in 2022
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