From Australia to the pinnacle of European football, Ange Postecoglou has experienced a “remarkable journey.” Alongside three other legends from the A-League, Tottenham’s groundbreaking victory marks a pivotal milestone for Australian football and the domestic scene.
As the final whistle sounded in Bilbao, Ange Postecoglou embraced his coaching team.
This image resonated deeply, symbolising Australia’s prominence on the global football stage.
While Tottenham’s players rushed onto the field to celebrate shedding their ‘Spursy’ reputation and claiming their first title in 17 years, Postecoglou remained on the sidelines with his assistants, soaking it all in.
AUSSIE STAR WORTH $7.3M?! Discover your A-League club’s most valuable player
He stood there, the pioneering Aussie who made history as the first Australian to clinch a European trophy, flanked by his loyal associates. Three of these men—legends of the A-Leagues—have guided Tottenham to heights not seen in over four decades, securing a European title.
Mile Jedinak, Nick Montgomery, and Sergio Raimundo have all faced their own challenges, leaving their mark on Australian football through the A-Leagues.
Jedinak has been part of Spurs the longest. The former Socceroos captain joined forces with Postecoglou following the latter’s appointment in 2023.
WONDERKID ALERT: Teens racking up 16 goals while dominating NSW with an incredible 4-minute blitz
A player under Postecoglou when he won the Asian Cup, Jedinak was just 22 when he got a trial with Central Coast Mariners in the Isuzu UTE A-League. He quickly became one of the league’s standout performers, winning a Premiership before enjoying success overseas with Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.
Alongside him are Montgomery and Raimundo, both recruited at the beginning of the 2024-25 season after their stint with Scottish Premiership side Hibernian.
This duo, responsible for Central Coast’s impressive resurgence in the 2023-24 season, are the latest disciples in the “University of Ange”. Raimundo served as Montgomery’s right-hand man at the Mariners’ academy during a period when the senior team struggled significantly in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
From the outset, they emphasised youth and instilled a singular message—to have belief. This philosophy led to a drought-ending Isuzu UTE A-League Championship in 2022-23, marking the club’s first title in a decade and setting the path for consecutive Grand Final victories in Gosford.
DEEP DIVE: Five essential stats spotlight the ‘exceptional’ quality of City star
Fast forward to Wednesday night at San Mamés, and Tottenham’s historic achievement validated the A-Leagues. This quartet has left a lasting impact on Australian football and demonstrated their ability to compete on the world stage.
“It’s hard to express the emotions,” Postecoglou told the media after the match. “I’m incredibly proud of the players.
“To quote my favourite Australian Prime Minister, Paul Keating, following an unexpected victory, he remarked, ‘This is one for the true believers,’ and this certainly is. It speaks volumes about an extraordinary group of players who never faltered and maintained faith in me and our vision.
“I also want to recognise our incredible coaching and support staff, and everyone involved in the club—from the board to all the staff at Lilywhite House and our training facilities. And, of course, the supporters.”
‘WE’LL SEE IT OVER THE NEXT MONTH’: Coach’s thrilling transfer prediction as academy talents shine
The 1-0 victory against Manchester United not only ended Tottenham’s long wait for silverware but also eclipsed the prospect of UEFA Champions League football for 2025-26. This was Postecoglou’s moment to shine.
In the early stages of his second season at Tottenham, Postecoglou made an audacious claim: “I typically don’t win things; I win things in my second year.” He stood by it.
This comment drew scepticism, particularly amid questions about his future. At a club not exactly renowned for its trophy cabinet, it seemed audacious to many, but he was merely stating facts—this was a pattern observable at South Melbourne in the NSL, Brisbane Roar in the A-Leagues, with the Socceroos, Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan, and Celtic in Scotland.
Now, eight months later, Postecoglou has proven his rationale.
“Many took my comments the wrong way,” he remarked to TNT Sports afterwards. “I wasn’t boasting, just openly stating my conviction.”
This triumph stands out amidst adversity. An Australian leading Tottenham to glory, a feat that eluded high-profile managers like Antonio Conte and José Mourinho, as well as one of Spurs’ most beloved coaches, Mauricio Pochettino.
“I appreciate why it might be tough for a club like this to embrace a single vision,” Postecoglou shared.
“When I initially signed, the club, including Daniel, mentioned that they had pursued winners, but it had not yielded results. Now they have me. But let me make this clear: I’m a winner. It’s been my mantra throughout my career.
“Winning is what defines my journey. While some may question my style of play, which I take pride in, I know people underestimate my achievements because they occurred beyond these shores. Yet, every accolade I’ve secured was hard-earned, and my focus has always been on winning.”
Postecoglou, who had a heartfelt reunion with his family after the match, continues on a unique path.
From his days at South Melbourne to the heights of Australian football, Postecoglou has amassed numerous titles—a pair of National Soccer League championships, back-to-back Isuzu UTE A-League titles, the unprecedented 36-match unbeaten streak with Brisbane Roar, and the crowning Asian Cup triumph with the Socceroos in 2015.
RODGERS, ARE YOU WATCHING? Socceroo reflects on Celtic’s success after discovering his ‘missing piece’
His journey also includes a J1 League title at Yokohama F. Marinos, which transformed Japanese football, and consecutive Scottish Premiership titles with Celtic, culminating in a treble.
This comes after a period of uncertainty some 16 years ago when Postecoglou struggled to secure a coaching role, making ends meet through media work and a brief stint with semi-pro club Whittlesea Zebras in 2009.
Similarities can be drawn between Postecoglou’s departure from South Melbourne and his present season at Spurs.
Initially not considered for the promotion from assistant to head coach at South Melbourne in the 1990s after Frank Arok’s departure, the club’s management eyed bigger names—Zoran Matic and Raul Blanco among them. A barbeque gathering changed everything.
However, it wasn’t smooth sailing after Postecoglou’s hard-fought appointment—after a dismal start with only one win from seven matches in the 1996-97 season, some committee members were quick to call for his dismissal.
“There were calls for my head,” former general manager Peter Filopoulos recounted earlier. “One member suggested we should dismiss him at midnight to avoid a public spectacle because it was such a misguided decision, and the one who orchestrated it should follow him out the door.”
“It came down to that eighth match against Marconi, where the pressure was palpable. We scraped a win with an 87th-minute goal. Had we lost, the future would have looked quite different for Ange. The rest is history.”
A son of Greek migrants, Postecoglou went on to lead South Melbourne to four trophies, which included two NSL Championships and a notable place at the 2000 FIFA Club World Cup.
This season bears some resemblance as well. The media had practically ruled out Postecoglou’s chances.
Criticised as a “clown” by some in the press, this trailblazer has proven them wrong.
What some may view as his crowning achievement might actually be just the beginning for Postecoglou at this level.
“No matter what transpires, my confidence in my methods remains steadfast, and I will keep pushing forward,” he asserted.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
Fanpage: SportArena.com.au.
LiveScore – Live Sports Results & Odds.
