Former footballer turned broadcast journalist Andy Harper has claimed Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou will leave some players unsure if he even knows their name.
Harper, who co-wrote the Australian’s book ‘Changing The Game’, should know more about the Bhoy’s boss than most and when speaking in a recent interview he offered some interesting insight.
Indeed, while talking to 67 Hail Hail, the writer explained that Postecoglou cares a lot about his players but looks to foster a ‘militaristic’ environment to get the very best of them and so does not engage too much with his squad on a personal basis.
He explained (17:46): “Other coaches are incredibly successful, but by being deeply personable with their players.
“Whilst Ange does adopt, you know, this sort of fatherhood figure, and does care deeply about his players, he does it in a really unusual way.
“And legion other players, who walk out of an Ange camp, not even really knowing if Ange knows their name. Not even really knowing if he’s got any idea about their background. There’s very little interface.
“Partly he does that so that he can cut the cord if he needs to. Partly he does that because that’s the atmosphere he generates.
“And if he needs people, well, he needs people to go to war for him and the cause. And it is quite militaristic in its Spartan approach in that sense.
“But on the other hand, he is a deeply sensitive person, who thinks deeply about pretty much anything that’s relevant to a football team and the people around it.”
TIF thoughts on Ange Postecoglou and Celtic…
It is certainly interesting to hear Harper claim that Postecoglou tends to have ‘very little interface’ with his squad and so one can only assume that must be the case with his current Celtic players.
That may come as a surprise to many especially as the team unity seems to be quite strong right now under the Australian. Indeed, it was as recent as February when the manager happily spoke about the team’s ‘togetherness’.
He told Celtic TV: “I don’t think you can artificially manufacture that togetherness. It has to be organic and the key to that is the people.”
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Though later in the interview he did perhaps reveal some insight into his methods, saying: “There are things we do as staff to create a space where the players can build their own culture because I have no idea what 18 to 30-year-olds like these days. I take one listen to the music and have to run out the room!
“It’s not about me trying to impose what I think the dressing room should look like, it’s up to them.
It just goes to show there is more than one way to get the best out of a club while maintaining a good sense of team spirit. And with the Bhoys now top of the league table, it’s hard to argue with his process.
In other news: ‘Couldn’t pass for love nor money when he arrived’ – Sky Sports man stunned by clip of Hoops ace