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Son Heung-min calls Ange Postecoglou his ‘mate’ as Tottenham captain sends ex-Celtic boss touching message

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Ange Postecoglou was sacked by Tottenham Hotspur on Friday.

The former Celtic manager led Spurs to Europa League glory in May, their first major honour since winning the League Cup in 2008.

But chairman Daniel Levy and the board decided to give Ange the boot in ruthless fashion, pointing to the club’s worst ever season in the Premier League last campaign.

Postecoglou issued a classy leaving statement via his agents CAA Base, telling supporters that he will be forever connected to Spurs.

Celtic legends Chris Sutton and John Hartson reacted furiously to the news, while Spurs captain Son Heung-min published an emotional statement.

Ange Postecoglou, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, shakes hands with Son Heung-Min of Tottenham Hotspur as he leaves the field after being replaced by substitute Mathys Tel of Tottenham Hotspur during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and Eintracht Frankfurt
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Son Heung-min’s message to Ange Postecoglou

Son thanked Postecoglou for delivering the Europa League crown and for handing him the captain’s armband when arriving at the club in June 2023.

He ended his message by calling Postecoglou his mate, as Son wrote on Instagram: “You’ve changed the trajectory of this club. You believed in yourself, and us, since day one and never wavered for a second. Even when others did.

“You knew what we were capable of all along. You did it your way. And your way brought this club the best night it’s had in decades. We will have those memories for life.

“You trusted me with the captaincy. One of the highest honours of my career. It’s been an incredible privilege to learn from your leadership up close, I am a better player and a better person because of you.

“Ange Postecoglou, you are a Tottenham Hotspur legend forever. Thank you, mate.”

What Son has said about Celtic in the past

Son has been reported within Celtic circles before, particularly in the context of his fellow South Korean players.

When the Hoops were linked with striker Cho Gue-sung in early 2023, Son advised his international teammate to take the leap and play his football in Europe.

Son said: “My advice for him would be to go and don’t be afraid of playing on the European stage. He gained great experience by playing so well at the World Cup and that’s the standard he would expect in top European competitions.”

In addition, around about the same time, it was revealed Son told Joe Hart to look after new Celtic signing Oh Hyun-gyu.

Son and Hart were teammates before the goalkeeper signed for the Hoops in 2021 under Postecoglou.

Oh said: “Joe Hart was a teammate of Son at Spurs and he’s told me that they’d spoken on the phone and Son told him to look after me! He’s been great, he’s been helping me settle in.”