Ange Postecoglou believes he could see in James Maddison and Guglielmo Vicario exactly what he wants to bring to Tottenham when he spoke to the two new signings.
The Australian officially began work at the club on Saturday following his switch from Celtic, beginning pre-season with those non-international players who returned to Hotspur Way. Spurs brought in new goalkeeper Vicario for £17m from Empoli and Maddison for £40m from Leicester City this week and Postecoglou spoke about his conversations with both before they put pen to paper.
“It’s not just about the talent they bring as footballers. It’s what they bring as people as well because we are going to play football that requires a certain type of personality and character,” said the 57-year-old in his first lengthy club interview. “Both those guys have got it in abundance. I could hear it in their voices when I spoke to them. I had a couple of chats with both of them before we signed them and I knew that they were the right types to bring into the dressing room.
“Part of the driver is that if I can see that in them this is their preferred destination for the right reasons, that’s enormous. I could sense with both of those guys that that was the case.”
Tottenham fans can expect an exciting brand of football under Postecoglou and he is looking forward to what is to come at the north London outfit.
“Obviously I’m excited about the challenge ahead. It’s an enormous football club, an exciting league and all of the things you strive for in your professional career. It’s great to finally be here, getting ready to work and I’m really excited about what’s ahead,” he said.
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“I love to win, that’s the main thing, and I’ve done that wherever I’ve been. The football is designed to bring success. Alongside that it’s really important to me that there is an element of what I think most fans and players want to be associated with, and that’s football that’s exciting, that people talk about, not just the end result but also the manner in which you played your football.
“That’s really important to me, firstly because I think it’s a way to be successful and also secondly, because it allows people to grab on to those things that are most special about our game, those memorable moments.
“People want to see their team scoring goals, being exciting, not conceding goals, being aggressive in their approach, all these kinds of things that everyone seeks in their own football team. That’s what I want to try to provide. You’re never going to get it right in all aspects but the basis of it will be that we want to be a team that wins things and, ultimately, also entertains our fans.”
Postecoglou also spoke about his new coaching staff which includes senior assistant coach Chris Davies, assistant coaches Ryan Mason, Matt Wells and Mile Jedinak and goalkeeping coach Rob Burch.
“It’s as much about what we do off the field as what we do on it. Starting with the coaching, which is probably the most important aspect,” he said. “They’re really bright, talented and ambitious guys. It’s a great mix. We’ve got guys who know this football club very well in Ryan, Matt and Rob, even coming through the academy so they know the whole Spurs experience and what it means. So it’s great to have them.
“Then Chris is somebody I’ve followed from afar, an ambitious young guy and Mile I know really well obviously because he was captain of my national team and a determined bloke to bring success wherever he is. I know that success will follow him because he’s been a leader from a very young age.
“The most important thing for me in these early parts is people getting to know me. That’s staff members, players, people associated with the club, they need to get to know me, what I’m about. If they get to know me and believe in me, whatever I need to do after that is easier. That’s the first bit.
“It’s a huge organisation and, for me, to allow that to happen means I have to be present in as many areas as I can be in this early part, and that’s what I will try to do, make sure I’m present in every aspect of the football club, so people at least have some exposure to me.
“Beyond that, it’s working with the players. They are the most important people. Players are the most important people in this football club and every football club. We have six weeks – how can we prepare these guys to make sure come the first weekend of Premier League football that we’re ready to go?”