Former Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou does not miss many open goals.
The former Celtic manager was on the Stick to Football podcast this week alongside Roy Keane, Ian Wright, Jamie Carragher, Jill Scott and Gary Neville.
Tottenham had just sacked Thomas Frank. Neville was lining up his point about the chaos in north London, reeling off the names.
He said:
“We’ve just discussed it before, we’ve talked about yourself, Conte, Mourinho, Pochettino, Nuno, Thomas Frank now. There is an absolute sort of convoy of managers with great reputations who have walked into that football club and can about turn the…”
Postecoglou did not let him finish.
“Only one won something, though!”
Straight to the point. It was classic Ange. A smile, a bit of humour, but a reminder all the same. For all the reputations and CVs on that list, he is the one who delivered silverware.
Supporters here will not need reminded of that trait. He has always backed himself, and he has always judged himself on trophies.
His Europa League success at Spurs added weight to that argument. In a club accused for years of lacking an edge when it mattered, he left with a European medal.
Celtic supporters saw that mentality up close.
He walked into a mess in the summer of 2021 and rebuilt it quickly. By his second and final season, Celtic were sweeping everything in front of them.
A domestic treble sealed it, but it was the manner of it that lingers. Relentless football. Aggressive pressing. The standards were non-negotiable. Win. Improve. Win again.
That is why his one-liner landed. It was not bravado. It was a fact.
There have been rumours about a return to Glasgow. That will not disappear any time soon, especially when his name resurfaces in the English media.
He is taking time out of managing just now, but his next move is never far away.
But if the dugout at Celtic Park ever did open up again, would many question his return?
