Celtic managerial candidate Ange Postecoglou spent a period of time in the game with Hungarian football legend Ferenc Puskas as his mentor, The Times has reported.
More and more information is coming out about Postecoglou all the time as Celtic fans read what journalists, pundits and experts from around the globe have to say.
That’s not to say absolutely everything is positive. It can’t be denied that some supporters have serious misgivings about his potential appointment. The anxiety is understandable considering this time last week Eddie Howe looked like a shoo-in.
Celtic have some serious questions to answer about all of this, as we discussed on 67 Hail Hail earlier tonight.
Still, we continue to find and share information so you can make up your own mind. In truth, I’m on the fence about this guy too, though I’m certainly willing to give him a chance.
Postecoglou and Puskas
In a fascinating profile written in by John Davidson, some unexpected nuggets have emerged, specifically to do with Puskas.
Considered to be one of the greatest footballers to ever play the game, Puskas had a glittering career at Budapest Honved and Real Madrid.
However, he also managed for decades, winning league titles in Greece and Paraguay, as well as finishing as a runner-up to Ajax in the 1971 European Cup Final with Panathanaikos.
By the late eighties, he was managing at South Melbourne Hellas, where Postecaglou served as his captain.
Davidson explains in The Times: “His playing days as a mulleted full back included a brief spell under the former Scotland and Manchester United manager Tommy Docherty, but it was his time under the legendary Hungarian Ferenc Puskas that proved most influential.
“Puskas spent three years at South Melbourne between 1989 and 1992 and served as Postecoglou’s mentor. The Australian was club captain and the Hungarian was his coach, but the bond went well beyond that. Postecoglou also served as his translator and chauffeur, and he received a sporting education few could match.
“Like his mentor, Postecoglou advocates an attacking, passing style. The 55-year-old wants possession, a high press and the domination of opponents. It is a high-risk approach that takes no prisoners. In his 25 years as a coach, it is an ideology that has served him remarkably well. In every coaching role he has had, barring ten months he spent at the Greek third division side Panachaiki in 2008, he has enjoyed success.”
Doubts about Postecoglou will remain, and that’s everyone’s right. However, the representation of him as a footballing novice who doesn’t know his way around the pitch is increasingly looking ignorant.
I guess we’ll find out what he’s all about if Celtic stick to the reported timeline. I don’t think anyone knows for sure how it’s going to turn out!
In other news, Celtic quest for SWPL 1 title glory to be aired live on BBC website.
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