Socceroos legend Mark Schwarzer has commented on Ange Postecoglou’s explosive start at Tottenham on the same day that he was nominated for FIFA’s prestigious annual “Best” awards.
Postecoglou is the ideal reconstruction specialist—ruthless and forward-thinking—but even by his standards, the speed with which Ange-ball has changed Tottenham has astounded longstanding admirers of his work.
London-based Schwarzer, now a seasoned football pundit, is among them.
In the early weeks of the Postecoglou era, Spurs have won three and drawn one of their first four Premier League games. Schwarzer declared: “Anyone who knew Ange and had seen him work before knew how he could transform things – just ask Celtic supporters” (following a Scottish domestic treble).
“However, I’m a little taken aback by how quickly everything happened at Tottenham, where some fans were skeptical of what he may bring in the Premier League, which is obviously a step up from Scotland.
“If you look at all the places he has gone before, it usually takes a few tries to truly put ideas into practice and start seeing results.
“But despite losing one of the best attackers in the world in Harry Kane, the Spurs players appear to have accepted his teachings and strategies right away.
“I always believed that because of the caliber of talent he has at his disposal at Tottenham, they could be so much better if they bought into what he’s trying to achieve than what you saw at Yokohama and Celtic.
They’ve had a talented group of players for a while, but ever since Mauricio Pochettino left, they’ve fallen short of expectations for whatever reason.
The question was more about how Ange would highlight that quality and foster an environment that they would embrace.
“To me, it’s quite clear: They immediately embraced him because they recognize his talent as a manager.
“His training regimen and strategies are perfect. If players doubt someone’s ability to carry out plans when they can clearly see he is, they see right through it very quickly. Without being highly effective at your job, you won’t get the sort of response he has in terms of outcomes and the way Tottenham plays.
Schwarzer, who represented his country 109 times, agrees with the general consensus that the recent additions of James Maddison ($60 million bargain is exhibit A) and Yves Bissouma—who was puzzlingly overlooked under Antonio Conte’s sterile reign—have impressed.
He has also observed how well the team has adjusted to life without Kane.
“I think Ange’s plan was always to move forward without him and it was just about how to do that in the best possible way,” continued Schwarzer.
“They’re playing far more attractive football than they have in the past, which the supporters obviously love, but they’re by no means the full product just yet.
“That tells you everything you need to know there when they sing, ‘We’ve got our Spurs back.
“Over the past few years, the team has thrown aside its typical aggressive characteristics in an effort to win championships, but it hasn’t worked. Fans are once again receiving the thrilling football for which the team is known.
There are some really positive aspects I can see, but there are also things they need to work on. Even though it will take some work, I’m sure that’s the plan even though they aren’t yet on the same level as, example, Manchester City.
“At the moment, I think they have a strong opportunity to finish in the top four, but it’s still very early in the season, and Spurs have already surpassed most people’s expectations in terms of how quickly their fortunes have turned around.
“Let’s hope that continues, for Ange’s sake. He clings to his goal and plan no matter what. Everywhere he has gone, he has done that. No one will ever alter the style of play he prefers for his teams.
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