Ange Postecoglou enjoyed a stunning first season in charge of Celtic. A double and numerous accolades to his name, the Australian will hopefully be enjoying a well-earned break before he gets back to business. However, a move to Celtic may not have transpired had a former Rangers executive been a bit cannier in the hunt for a manager.
Big Ange left his role as Australia National Team manager in 2017 after beating Honduras to seal The Socceroos progress to the World Cup in 2018. The Greek-born Australian left the national team gig due to a standoff with the National Association but had been linked with moves to England, Belgium and Greece.
Optus Sport detailed that it was Sunderland that wanted Ange as their manager in late 2017, asking ex-Black Cats player Michael Bridges for a reference. Bridges was living in Australia and had seen Postecoglou win the A-League and the J-League, as well as implementing an impressive style of play with the Socceroos.
Before Celtic 🍀, Ange Postecoglou almost joined Sunderland 👀🏴
The story of clubs wanting “a big name for the fans” continues to stand in the way of Aussie coaches in Europe… 😡
Listen to the full GegenPod podcast 🎧 https://t.co/WNDlCuPSdB#OptusSport #COYBIG #CelticFC pic.twitter.com/SBZQTbuHRj
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) May 30, 2021
Bridges explains that former Rangers Chief Executive Martin Bain enquired about a reference for Postecoglou and received a detailed, glowing endorsement from Bridges. However, Bain opted to go with Chris Coleman, who was unable to save the Black Cats from relegation to League One. It is all conjecture but it is likely that if Ange had taken that job, he wouldn’t have been our manager last season.
Celtic hired Postecoglou last June to much bemusement in the media; however, Ange left them looking mightily embarrassed as he sealed a league title and league cup double in his first season – which was earmarked by many as being a season for rebuilding.
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Celtic need to offer Ange a two year rolling contract to be reviewed and increased annually if all parties agree.
The one year deal he was on, fair enough for all concerned as not everyone can cut it in Scotland, but he’s proved he’s more than capable!
He deserves a big bonus for his work so far too! He’s got everyone connected with Celtic excited about football again and looking forward to European football in the Champions League!
His eye for a player is up there with the best managers we’ve had at the club, and for once i actually trust a manager to bring players to the club who ‘will’ improve the first team!