Eddie Jones has opened up about his close friendship with Ange Postecoglou while addressing recent speculation linking the Australian coach with a sensational return to Celtic.
Postecoglou has been out of work since leaving Nottingham Forest after just 39 days, sparking talk of a potential Parkhead comeback. However, Jones believes his long-time friend may have his sights set elsewhere after getting a taste of Premier League life. The pair have known each other for years and often exchange messages about the pressures and politics of top-level coaching.
Jones and Postecoglou are part of a small circle of Australian managers across different sports who regularly share advice and support. Their bond, built on mutual respect and straight-talking honesty, has endured through their respective highs and lows in rugby and football.
While the Celtic speculation has caught attention on both sides of the world, Jones’ comments suggest Postecoglou might not be tempted to revisit his old job. The former Hoops boss enjoyed huge success during his time in Glasgow, but according to Jones, the challenge of coaching in England may still appeal more than a return to Scotland.
He said: (Nik Simon YouTube), “Everyone has an opinion, it’s an attractive story. It’s the same in New Zealand. Scott Robertson felt the pressure of not being as successful as he would like to be, and again, there is all that conjecture.
“Both of those jobs are pretty taxing, it would be like being in a Premier League job. My mate Ange lasted 39 days in the job and he got cut.
“We keep in contact. I saw the rumour about Celtic, but I don’t know whether he would want to go back there or not. I think having experienced Premier League he would like to stay in that area.
“Yeah, yeah. We talk – we are probably quite similar blokes in a lot of ways.”
Jones’ comments show the respect between the two and how tough their jobs can be. Both have worked under intense pressure and know what it takes to handle expectations in sports-mad countries.
The Celtic job is always under the microscope, and Postecoglou’s name keeps coming up after what he achieved in Glasgow. But if Jones is right, his mate might fancy another shot in the Premier League instead of a return to Scotland.
The two stay in touch and still swap messages about the ups and downs of coaching. Whether Postecoglou ever goes back to Celtic or not, his friendship with Eddie Jones clearly runs deeper than the latest headlines.
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