Chris Sutton has been involved in a lively debate with English pundits Micah Richards and Rory Smith on BBC’s Football Daily podcast as he launched a huge defence of Ange Postecoglou.
The trio were all part of the panel as they discussed whether Ange could manage at the top level in England. Former City defender Richards said he would be “surprised” if he was to be given that opportunity anytime soon, whilst journalist Smith took the same opinion.
However, in a class debate in which Sutton sticks up for Ange big-time, he states that he’s more than capable of succeeding at the top level of the game. Speaking on Football Daily, here’s how it all panned out:
Micah Richards: “Is he at that level Chris? A Manchester City level?”
Chris Sutton: “Are you serious? Do I think he could do it at that level? We’re talking about a guy with an unbelievable track record, but he’s sneered at because his track record is in Australia and Japan. I’m not saying you’re sneering at him. I’m saying people do sneer at him and we’re questioning now whether he’s up for taking a job in the Premier League. What more does he have to do?
Richards: “Hang on, we’re talking about Premier League winners. We’re not talking about the Premier League as a whole.”
Sutton: “Hang on a minute so Aston Villa have just taken Steven Gerrard, okay? And things aren’t going so well now for Aston Villa. Has Ange Postecoglou achieved more in his managerial career than Steven Gerrard?”
Smith: “Yes”
Richards: “Yes but the fact of the matter is that it’s just recent. If Postecoglou goes and wins in Scotland then yes he will be considered, like Brendan Rodgers had been. That’s just the way football is. If you win a trophy in Japan and you win a trophy in Scotland or England, the way clubs are looking at it is completely different – no disrespect. You don’t play in Japan or China in your prime Chris. I wasn’t questioning him as a manager. I’m questioning him as Premier League title contention.”
Sutton: “Arsene Wenger? Arsene Wenger was unheard of wasn’t he? Arsene Wenger was laughed at, sneered at – ‘a school teacher’. That’s what Arsene Wenger was when he took over Arsenal and what a career he had. So why are we doubting whether Ange Postecoglou, who’s managed his national team at a World Cup, whether he could manage in the Premier League? I find that preposterous. “
Ange Postecoglou has more than proven himself at Celtic this season
Granted, this isn’t a debate many Celtic fans will want to entertain too much. After all, we don’t exactly want EPL clubs to come sniffing after Ange. Not with what we’re hoping to build in the coming years.
Of course, at the same time we have to accept the reality of where we stand in world football. The prospect of becoming the first ever Australian manager to take charge of an EPL club would be a big thing for Ange. But if that is to happen somewhere down the line, with a bit of luck it only comes due to the fact he’s fully developed his Celtic side and has achieved all he feels he can here.
We’re nowhere near that point at the moment. Sure, Celtic may go on to win the Premiership title this season. But make no mistake, that was only ever step 1 for Ange. Making this club a strong force in Europe will be the ultimate goal. Competing regularly in the UCL group stages is his next task, and it would be interesting to see how we far in the competition next season should we secure the title.
Of course, when he eventually leaves, he’ll likely also need to be realistic about his options. For example, a Manchester City or Chelsea won’t come in for him simply down to the snobbery of the league. A couple of top 10 finishes with the likes of a Crystal Palace or Everton right enough and his reputation shoots up. It’s a fickle world we live in.
He’s more than proven he can manage at an elite level this season. Celtic are, after all, one of the great names in world football. Ange has added to an impeccable CV with his work this season as he continues to show how much of a born winner he is.
Fingers crossed he’s here for the foreseeable, but to question whether he could compete at the top level? It’s difficult to know what else he has to prove.
In other news, USA supporters urge Celtic’s Cameron Carter-Vickers to be given World Cup chance
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