Celtic boss has admitted that he couldn’t believe what happened during one of his team-talks during his time managing in Greece.
Whilst many believe Ange’s time at Celtic to be his first job in Europe, that isn’t exactly the truth. Back in 2008, the Greek-Australian took charge of Panachaiki in the Greek 3rd division.
It lasted only 9 months after a falling out with club management. Impressively however, Postecoglou was keeping his side in the top 3 and well in the hunt for promotion during that period.
And as he reflected on his first managerial stint in Europe, the former Australia manager has revealed the incredible activity one of his Brazilian players carried out during a full-time team-talk.
As quoted by the Scottish Sun, Postecoglou said: “We played against a local team and we drew 0-0. I wasn’t happy and I was giving a post-match talk to the players. One of them, a Brazilian, was standing with his back to me. He was in front of the sink with his head down.
“There was a noise and I wondered if he was really upset, so I went over to him. I then realised he was hunched over his coffee machine, grinding beans. He was making a frappe while I was trying to tear strips off them in the dressing room. I was amazed.
“He was oblivious to what was going on around him. That was a first. To be honest, if it ever happened again, which it won’t, I’d deal with it the same way. I had a chuckle to myself back then and made a note for the book.”
Culture differences don’t seem to faze Celtic boss
Difficult to know whether this is more of a cultural difference than sheer disobedience, but you can’t help but laugh. Goodness knows if a Celtic player tried to do that and the story got out, the fans would be absolutely fuming.
Fair to say Ange will be keeping a close eye on who’s listening to his team-talks at Celtic Park then. Thankfully, we seem to have a squad totally invested in what the manager is trying to do here. That makes a world of a difference.
You’ll do well to find a single player in that first-team squad that doesn’t back Postecoglou’s vision for the club. If they didn’t he’d have them swiftly out the door too.
As for that spell in Greece, it’s a shame Ange didn’t get a job in Europe sooner. Yes, it was at a low level in terms of it being the Greek third division. However, he still managed to do a fairly successful job in the time he was there.
Instead, Ange has had to rebuild his reputation back in his homeland of Australia and in Japan. It certainly isn’t the most conventional route to Celtic Park, but this is the big opportunity Postecoglou has been waiting for.
And no doubt there won’t be a coffee machine in sight when it comes to the Parkhead dressing room!
In other news, Yet another big concern surfaces for St Johnstone ahead of Celtic clash
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