Report: Ange Postecoglou could have joined another big Euro club days before Celtic interest

By Lewis Laird

May 13, 2022

Ange Postecoglou has been a revelation at the club this season after joining from Yokohama F.Marinos last summer.

Despite suffering a stuttering start, the 56-year old led the Hoops back to the Scottish Premiership title and also delivered the Premier Sports Cup.

Not only has he overturned the 25 point swing from the last campaign in one season, but he has done so whilst also undergoing a huge rebuild amongst his squad.

However, as Celtic fans are well aware, things could have been very different around the club this season.

Of course, there was the public pursuit of Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe before he took up the role at St James Park, which ultimately came to nothing.

But, just days before the approach for Ange Postecoglou, the former Socceroos boss could have been heading elsewhere in Europe.

According to a report from the Australian media outlet Keep Up today, Postecoglou was also being targeted by Greek side AEK Athens.

The outlet mentions that Ange and his family were all set for a return to the country of his birth before AEK decided to appoint Vladan Milojevic, despite Postecoglou having the backing of the club’s sporting director.

That rejection will have come as a frustration to Postecoglou, having been denied another opportunity to take the step into European football. The Celtic boss had signed off on the AEK switch.

But, within 24 hours, Ange was starting the process to become the next Celtic manager.

That same rejection had happened on many different occasions, and it even left the Yokohama boss sceptical over whether Celtic’s interest last summer was genuine.

As the saying goes, though, the rest was history.

Ange has gone on to become a loved figure amongst the Celtic support for taking the Hoops back to the top whilst also playing his entertaining, free-flowing, attacking football.

He has taken his chance in European football with both hands and delivered right from the off, which is likely to leave some clubs baffled at their decision to not take him on.

Particularly AEK Athens, who are now onto their third manager of this season.

Postecoglou, on the other hand, is on his way to managing in the Champions League.

In other news, former CEO Peter Lawwell gives interview on how Celtic recruited Ange Postecoglou.