Ange Postecoglou is the latest big name to be profiled on ABC’s “Australian Story.”
In an exclusive interview, Postecoglou sits down with “Australian Story” to reflect on Tottenham Hotspur’s famous Europa League win, which the Melbourne-born football manager admits was the “toughest thing I’ve ever done.”
That’s not a hyperbolic statement: Spurs hadn’t won a major trophy for 17 years until Postecoglou guided them to a 1-o victory over Manchester United in last month’s Europa League Final, and the club hadn’t won a European trophy for over 40 years. That the first-ever Australian to manage an English Premier League team achieved the feat is testament to Postecoglou’s coaching ability.
“It took every little ounce of me, every bit of me, to get us over the line,” Postecoglou tells “Australian Story” in the in-depth interview.
The episode also features conversations with friends and colleagues of Postecoglou, including Nick Deligiannis reflecting on his childhood friend’s character. “You put Ange with his back to the ropes, he will come out stronger than ever,” Deligiannis says.
Postecoglou’s achievements – which also include several major honours with Scottish club Celtic, whose fans still hold him in the highest regard, and guiding Australia to the 2014 World Cup – have not been lost on the footballing world.
Sports commentator Richard Hinds says Postecoglou has “redefined the possibilities for all Australian coaches. He’s stepped into a world that we’ve always seen as the realm of other, the realm of the great coaches.”
As one of the most eminently quotable managers in modern football, Postecoglou makes complete sense as the focus of an episode of “Australian Story.” This is the man who famously once said, “I don’t usually win things… I always win things in my second year,” prior to doing just that – against all the odds – with Spurs.
“In 10 years’ time there will be more stories to tell, more trophies to be won and that’s how I think about life,” he tells “Australian Story.”
The episode also draws on episodes from 2015 and 2017, looking back over Postecoglou’s eventful career – one which, whether he stays at Spurs or tests himself in another league, is far from over.
“Game of His Life – Ange Postecoglou” airs tonight (June 2) at 8pm on ABC TV and ABC iview.