Australian football should do more than just hope Ange Postecoglou’s success in the J1 League with Yokohama F. Marinos might open doors for our coaches in Asia.
It should inspire a deeper conversation about how we can create more opportunities.
More opportunities for Australian coaches to learn in full-time professional environments. More opportunities for coaches to collaborate and connect. More opportunities for coaches to experiment and develop their own philosophies.
A coach like Postecoglou isn’t formed by a coaching course or a certificate. You can’t take a video of Postecoglou’s latest game and tell a coach that his team should play like this.
Postecoglou’s best teams succeed so convincingly because they are formed in his image.
No doubt he had his influences. He saw football he liked and football he didn’t like.
(Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
On ABC’s Offsiders on Sunday morning, he said he wanted to build teams his dad would enjoy watching.
That tells you that his vision for what a good football team looks like has been forming since he was a child.
If you speak to the people he played with, they’ll tell you the same thing.
I was privileged to witness Postecoglou’s triumph first-hand and I spoke to him before and after the game.
Aside from witnessing history – not just for Australian football, but for Yokohama and its fans – speaking to Postecoglou and the people around him demonstrated just how important his sense of footballing purpose is to the success he enjoys.
He does not coach teams to win one-off matches. He doesn’t pick players for any given game because it will get him a result.
Everything he does – from the project he picks to the staff he brings with him and the players he recruits – is done with a single-minded objective to produce a specific style of football.
And because he believes in that style – more than any one-off result or piece of silverware – his players can believe in it. It takes on greater importance than a single game.
Up-and-coming coaches should be inspired by Postecoglou’s achievement, but not compelled to copy how he did it.
It is incumbent on them to find the football they believe in.
It is incumbent on Football Federation Australia to drive a culture that encourages greater opportunities for coaches to fail, to succeed, to learn and to inspire.
Ange Postecoglou’s achievement is an important one, but it would be a mistake to rely on his successes to open doors for others.
His success is his own. It can’t be copied, but it can inspire something different.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Good comment Punter although I think the nuances of club vs country make it a little different, it is not as black and white as that. But it is true that a good coach is a good coach. A fantastic coach can overcome the obstacles, adapt, and continue to find success throughout their career. Right now I think this is not the last success Ange will see. The next challenge will be on finding the balance between J-League defence and ACL assault.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Yes because they lost to Sth Korea.
Punter
Roar Rookie
No way, he should have been dropped during the Ashes & reinstated back in Australia. However, not a likeable man is our Davy.
chris
Guest
Come on Kangas leave Uncle Arthur alone
Punter
Roar Rookie
I made the comment earlier but made the error that there is no difference between club & international coach. However, I like you do not understand how some are saying that Ange is a great coach but not at international level. He's the only Australian that has won a major trophy & he took on a challenge to play football with our feet & based on 99% of Socceroos in our history, this was always going to be difficult.
anon
Roar Pro
Not that Arnie is much of an improvement. Didn't work in the past, won't work now. Need a good Dutch coach.
anon
Roar Pro
The last Asian Cup was in the Middle East. We have a strong record against Asian sides on home soil.
anon
Roar Pro
I thought Davey should have been dropped after the Ashes.
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
It’s his comedy routine Ben. Occasionally comedic , but very consistent in application. David Warner , the rogue Aussie cricketer is Anons favourite man at the moment Very humble man Davy Warner.
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
Humility is Jose Mourinhos new logo #humility and woke
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
Very humble to admit your error
anon
Roar Pro
Ange's claim to fame is beating South Korea in E/T on home soil.
anon
Roar Pro
Germany had a historically terrible World Cup.
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
He gets pegged , people need outrage and are hostile to successful people.
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
.. Anon Great comment South Korea only knocked out Germany in Russia at the last World Cup Beating German teams in world cups , lol .
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
Just a great final , when under enormous pressure from a quality team , the Socceroos took their chances and didn’t allow a great Korean many chances . The Germans always get lucky in finals because they take their chances, just eststsctic that the Socceroos could stand up when it mattered most. He’s a pretty lucky coach AP, keeps winning those big moments in big games. Like the great wallabies teams of 20 years ago or Steve Waugh’s or Mark Taylor’s cricket teams , they took their chances to win the big matches .
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
“that’s how I want Australia to approach every match & play. Sumptuous football. Attacking intent. Created plenty of chances” Does seem to contradict how you expect Ange to play against Asian teams .
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
Stop making sense Dasilva , In this post truth world , the people need to be emotive and reactive and can’t see the bigger picture What is undisputed, is the team won an Asian cup , went through a rebuilding period and then qualified for the next World Cup . Unfortunate too many Robbie slater type analysis who are brave by being reactionary can’t acknowledge that the goal was accomplished. Unfortunately the seek fame by outrage commentators on the roar and on the tv are now watching the Socceroos fail at Asian cup and our best coach is in Japan . But hey , they are loud and outraged.
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
Well said Ben
Buddy
Roar Rookie
I still think we were pretty lucky in the final. It was a real struggle and Ch-Du-Ri was really good that day even though he was tiring and coming to the end of his career.