Optus Director of Sport, Richard Bayliss has launched an impassioned social media defence of Ange Postecoglou after his name became the front runner for the job when Howe decided not to take the role.
Postecoglou is a name unfamiliar to us and will be a stranger to many Celtic fans as they try to wrap their heads around the last 24 hours.
We’ve gone from Howe is a cert to potentially bringing in a little known manager from across the world.
We have been attempting our research of the manager and he comes across as a bit of a football maverick.
Postecoglou seems to have no short of confidence and had a very successful spell as Australia coach. The manager has won the A-League and the J-League with his current side Yokohama Marinos.
This is all well and good, but it’s just words on a screen to us and the rest of the Celtic support.
Richard Bayliss gave his insight into a potential Celtic move for the Greek-born Australian coach and compared him to the Leeds manager:
A couple of thoughts on Ange to Celtic, & the inevitable questions which have already started. Firstly, there’s football outside of Europe, much like there’s football outside of Premier League. That world also has major honours, national team success & domestic titles.
Australia won a first major title under Postecoglou when they beat a very good S.Korea in the Asian Cup final. Players like Massimo Luongo who won player of the tournament were transformed. This after They should’ve beaten Holland at 2014 World Cup, & more than matched Chile.
On the back of domestic success in Australia including four titles and a record 36-game unbeaten run with Brisbane, he took a struggling Yokohama FM side to the J League crown in his second year. And they were/are ridiculously entertaining.
Postecoglou’s ability to get the most out of players motivationally and tactically is absolutely a strength. As a Leeds fan, I see similarities to Marcelo Bielsa in the way he can motivate, and the football is often similar too. It’s high tempo, attack minded. Always fun.
When Bielsa arrived at Leeds most said it was crazy and it won’t work, no major trophies to his name. There will be some of that with Celtic if Ange arrives. Not saying it will work out the same or at all, but take the leap of faith to find out. Don’t die wondering.
But the idea that people aren’t having Postecoglou but would’ve been happy with Eddie Howe – whose last managerial act was relegation – is fairly ridiculous. Just because you’ve heard of someone doesn’t mean they’re better than someone you haven’t. Hope it works. It might.
Celtic need a leader, we’re not willing to hang our hat on any candidate until we know it’s over the line.
