Australian and St Johnston defender has spoken about working under Ange Postecoglou and jokingly admitted he’s the best coach but the worst manager he’s ever had!
McGowan spoke to the Sacked in the Morning podcast about times under Ange for the Socceroos. Ryan complimented Ange by calling him the best coach he’s ever had the pleasure of working under but admitted the Celtic manager’s scary demeanour made him feel like the worst manager to play for.
McGowan tells an outstanding story about Ange on a long-haul flight with him. The player also reveals Ange’s methods. Something we’ve picked up on over the last 18 months. He likes to keep his distance from players. The Australian believes keeping that distance allows him to stay objective. Befriending players, he may one day have to cut just doesn’t work for him.
Speaking to the podcast, McGowan told the story of scary Ange : “He’s the best coach I have worked with but possibly the worst man-manager I have ever had. He is so distant, so scary, and you are petrified of him. I still am. He would say certain things and have certain rules that were just non-negotiable of what to do and as an average player I quite liked that.
“You would then just do it as best you could. He would keep his distance and there’s the story of us flying from Sydney to Dubai. I had been up to a bit of mischief with the senior boys which I now seriously regret.
“We used to put our coffees on the senior boys’ rooms as they could afford it. I didn’t know they could pick the flight seats. Mine’s was 1A, business class.
“Then the next thing, Ange is setting right next to me. It’s 16 hours and you are sweating, so nervous.
“He didn’t speak to me once, not even how are you. He then just got up and left when we got there! He did a podcast a couple months ago and he said he loved doing it to freak the boys out. That was the worst 16 hours of my life.”
This is a tremendous story.
Celtic fans see the manager as this outward, passionate guy. Playing under him will be a pleasure, but it will also bring challenges, as McGowan reveals.
Some managers like to be friends with their players, but Ange has his set ways of doing things. Commanding respect and making the players better is what Ange does best.
It’s not to say he’s horrible to players working under him, but there’s no doubt who’s in charge.
