Ange Postecoglou says he owes Eddie Howe a ‘thank you’ for his role in his journey to Tottenham after he turned down Celtic job two years ago
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Ange Postecoglou admits he has Newcastle manager Eddie Howe to thank for his unintended role in his journey to Tottenham.
Sunday will see Postecoglou and Howe face off for the first time, but were the talk of the town in Glasgow back in the summer of 2021.
Howe was widely expected to take up the vacant Celtic position, but after lengthy negotiations he turned it down, resulting in Postecoglou being given the nod.
The Australian never looked back and after winning five trophies in his two years in Scotland, it convinced Spurs to give the 58-year-old his first opportunity as a Premier League manager.
“Yeah, the sliding door moment,” Postecoglou admitted.
Ange Postecoglou admits he has Newcastle manager Eddie Howe to thank
“There was probably no more important decision for me today than Eddie turning down the Celtic job.
“I didn’t thank him, I probably should have.”
Postecoglou quickly took the Premier League by storm after his arrival and led Tottenham to the top of the top flight in October, but the last six weeks have resulted in a five-game winless streak and a growing number of absences.
But the experienced coach is not inclined to panic, he insisted: “Pressure is pressure, you know.
“It’s always there, it’s how you feel about it, and I’ve never let it dictate my path or the path forward.”
“For me, I don’t have a three- or five-year plan up my sleeve that will guarantee success. I have a plan that I think will get us to where we need to be.
– How long will it take? I don’t know. It depends on how disciplined we are in staying on the path and sticking to it.
Sunday’s match will see Postecoglou and Howe face off for the first time.
“It’s how focused you are and how determined you are to follow the path you’ve started. I’m adamant about this, I just won’t budge. I just think this is the best way forward.”
Injuries to Mickey van de Ven and James Maddison have been costly and although Spurs recently welcomed back Pape Sarr and Richarlison, they are down to eight first-team players for Sunday’s match.
Newcastle boast a similarly large number of players on the treatment table, which has opened the door for 17-year-old Lewis Miley to impress over the past month.
Postecoglou’s squad currently includes several graduates from his academy and he admitted he could turn to 18-year-old Tottenham Under-21 playmaker Jamie Donley if they continue to struggle for goals.
“It’s fair to say Newcastle are probably the only club that have gone through what we have in terms of injuries. It will affect every club, but I think they handled it quite well, very well in fact,” Postecoglou added.
“The players have the opportunity every day to show what they can do and give me something to think about in terms of choices.
“If I’m not doing it, there’s a reason why I’m not doing it, but that doesn’t mean it won’t change next week or the week after.
“Of course, Jamie, I think he is developing. Now it has become useful for him to train regularly with us.
“He is a regular player here and in that context, I think in the next few games if he continues to develop the way he is, he will get an opportunity in the game as well.”