Yokohama F Marinos coach Kevin Muscat has revealed that Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou sent a classy, good luck message to his former side during their push for the J-League title.
The former Socceroos manager joined the Hoops from the J-League side in the summer of 2021, leaving Marinos after a successful few years in charge.
Postecoglou’s former assistant, Kevin Muscat, was handed the reigns to try and build upon the legacy that the 57-year-old had created at the club.
And in November of last year, Muscat did exactly that, leading Yokohama F Marinos to their second J-League title in four years.
Postecoglou’s former side secured the title on the final day of the season, pipping the trophy ahead of current holders Kawaski Frontale after a brilliant season.
The Celtic manager’s legacy is still very much in tack, and he continues to inspire the style of play at the club through his old compatriot.
It also appears that Ange has been keeping a close eye on proceedings in the J-League over the last few months after Kevin Muscat revealed that he had sent him and the squad a classy, good luck message on their way to the title.
The current Marinos boss stated that it was a ‘surreal’ feeling to follow in Postecoglou’s footsteps as he reflected on his countryman’s fantastic gesture.
He said [Keep Up]: “It’s still really surreal. Because understanding not the difficulties but the challenges, I suppose, to be able to achieve (the J1 title) and also emulate what Ange had done prior to me.
“He’s obviously someone who I’ve got a great deal of respect for, professionally first and foremost but also personally.
“To be able to emulate what went before me and what he (did) was huge.”
He continued: “Getting to the back end of the year, he (Ange) sent us a message.
“He was like: ‘Mate, you’re on the way to having a really special feeling’. It was only at the end of it, when we did succeed that I understood exactly what he meant because he understands the challenges, one of the J1 League and obviously our club Marinos.”
Ange Postecoglou’s inspiration to the J-League lives on as Celtic boss keeps a watchful eye over former club.
Having not achieved a league title for several years prior to Ange Postecoglou’s arrival at the club, the Australian’s inspiration continues to live on in Japan.
I am sure the Celtic boss will be delighted by that and to see one of his former coaches go on to succeed in the dugout at his old club.
Postecoglou is clearly still keeping a watchful eye over not only Yokohama F Marinos but also other clubs in the J-League.
And that is evident by some of his transfer business in the January window after bringing Yuki Kobayashi (Vissel Kobe) and Tomoki Iwata (Yokohama F Marinos) to the club.
Now, it is up to Muscat to continue building upon the foundations set by Postecoglou by going on to win further J-League titles, which I am sure is the aim going into the 2023 season.
In other news, Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou delivers spot-on follow-up response to Hampden pitch complaints.
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