Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic revolution continues to impress. After a shaky start to life at Parkhead last season (Celtic lost three of their first six league games), pressure begun to mount on the new Hoops manager.
However, soon after, Postecoglou’s aggressive and full throttle game style came to fruition. The Bhoys did not lose another league game all season, leading to Celtic being crowned Scottish champions in his first season as manager.
Postecoglou’s second season in charge has seen even greater domestic dominance by Celtic. With ten games of their 38-game season remaining, Celtic have lost just once, to St. Mirren in September. They sit nine points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a goal difference of +70.
Postecoglou’s team also recently won back-to-back Scottish League Cups. If the Scottish Cup is won in June, Postecoglou’s team will have won the domestic treble in just his second year in charge.
Postecoglou’s attractive, high possession game style is both effective and enjoyable to watch. His Celtic team is abundant with technical players who are attacking minded, allowing Celtic to hold the ball for long periods in the opposition’s half.
Postecoglou has been masterfully shrewd in the transfer market to further solidify Celtic’s position at the top of the Scottish football tree. His experience managing in the J-League saw him able to attract savvy signings such as Japanese internationals Kyogo Furuhasi, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate to Glasgow. Postecoglou has also used his experience with the Socceroos to sign fellow Aussie Aaron Mooy on a free transfer from Chinese Super League side Shanghai Port.
Aaron Mooy has joined Postecoglou at Celtic. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Despite possessing a lesser transfer budget than other European heavyweights, Postecoglou has also permanently secured the likes of Filipe Jota from Benfica to further strengthen his squad’s depth.
Despite Celtic’s domestic dominance, the club struggled in this season’s Champions League. Celtic finished bottom of Group F and was unable to win any of their six group matches, losing four and drawing two. Whilst positive glimpses were shown, they were ultimately outclassed by more experienced European opposition.
With domestic dominance firmly entrenched at Celtic, what does Postecoglou’s managerial future contain for next season and beyond? He has been the subject of the Premier League manager rumour mill this season. EPL strugglers Leeds and West Ham are reportedly interested in acquiring his services.
Would current opportunities to manage in the Premier League entice Postecoglou to leave Glasgow? It seems unlikely in the short term.
At Celtic Park, Postecoglou currently has the stability that football manager’s dream of. He is winning trophies regularly, has a Board of Directors that endorses his position unequivocally and a fanatical fanbase that adores him.
Ange Postecoglou is the taste of Glasgow. (Photo by Rob Casey/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Celtic have also demonstrated that they are willing to provide Postecoglou with the financial ammunition to enhance his squad to Champions League standard. The appeal of competing in the Champions League next season with Celtic is also a key advantage that few other European clubs can offer the Australian.
Postecoglou has reaffirmed this position at Celtic, stating recently that he “couldn’t be happier” in Glasgow. He is obviously keen to continue to ride the winning wave at Celtic, with Champions League competitiveness next season a key priority. Longer-term, a future in the Premier League may await for the ex-Socceroos manager, particularly if qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League occurs next year for Celtic.
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