ANGE POSTECOGLOU

The truth may never be known about exactly what happened with Ange and the Socceroos, but he’s no stranger to shock exits.

He left the role of Young Socceroos coach after a bruising on air row with Craig Foster over the team’s fortunes in 2007. He resurrected his managerial career at Brisbane Roar in 2009 and led a brutal clear out of the playing stocks to reimagine it in his own vision, bringing the club’s greatest period of success ever.

In the midst of all that though, straight after another Grand Final victory, Postecoglou quit the club in 2012. Two days later he was unveiled as Victory’s new coach. After just one season though, he was headhunted by the FFA to take the Socceroos to the 2014 World Cup.

His time at the Socceroos brought mixed fortunes and mixed reactions. He again culled the ageing players from the squad and brought in a string of youngsters for the trip to Brazil. He instigated his distinctive playing style which won praise from fans and critics, despite conceding nine goals in three World Cup matches.

Although it was acknowledged he was working with limited or unrealised quality among his new young playing group, Postecoglou managed to eke out results and took the Asian Cup on home territory in 2015.

But the limitations to the squad choice became apparent during World Cup qualifying for Russia 2018 and results became harder and harder to come by as Ange tried more and more desperate measures to find the back of the net.

The switch to a back three at a crucial stage of qualifying sparked the beginning of the end of Australia’s love affair with Ange. By focusing on creating more chances for the forwards, Ange sacrificed his defensive strength - goals conceded went up, goals scored stayed the same.

The pressure on Postecoglou intensified from fans and pundits and from within the FFA. With his future uncertain, Australia ended up taking the longest possible route to Russia via two extra sets of play-offs before finally guaranteeing their spot.

But with the pressure released, Postecoglou announced he would not be on the bench in Russia and was quitting on the eve of the World Cup.

While many insist he was forced out as part of a conspiracy to make way for Graham Arnold or as collateral damage in the governance battle between the FFA and A-League clubs, the baton was actually handed to Bert Van Marwijk to take the team to Russia and allow Arnold to see out the A-League season with Sydney before taking charge in time for the Asian Cup.

One day the full story may come out - but in the meantime, Ange is proving his credentials all over again in Japan where he’s turned around the fortunes of Yokohama F Marinos for City Football Group. New York City FC or Manchester City next for the big fella? There’s certainly a few shocks still to come from Ange, for sure…

 

HAT-TIPS TO…

Jim Magilton - The worst coach in Victory history with a 16.67% win rate.
Hesterine De Reus - Don’t demand pro commitment from Matildas if you can’t offer pro conditions.
Mike Mulvey - Dumped by Roar with the double still warm in his hands.
Rini Coolen - Four year deals mean nothing if you can’t scout decent players.
Frank Farina - Needed a Plan B.
Kevin Muscat - The A-League without Muscat is a shock in itself.