Matildas Olympics 2024: Tony Gustavsson hopes for some Ange Postecoglou magic at qualifiers
Ange Postecoglou has given plenty to Australian football – and now, while in charge of Premier League side Tottenham, he could provide the answer to unlocking the Matildas’ Olympic hopes.
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Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson hopes a chance to meet and chat with former Socceroos turned EPL coach Ange Postecoglou will “inspire” him ahead of the must win Olympic qualifier with Uzbekistan.
Gustavsson is in London visiting players, including injured captain Sam Kerr and vice captain Steph Catley ahead of the upcoming camp.
“I met with Steph yesterday and we spoke about supporting Sam any way we can,” he said.
“I’m going to meet Sam here as well when I’m in London.
“It’s important to show her the support and she is still going to be part of the team even if he’s not present in the locker room or on the pitch.”
Gustavsson said he spoke to Catley about Kerr’s absence and how they plan to handle it.
“We know that Sam wants it to be about the team and not about her now,” Gustavsson said.
“It’s all about the team qualifying for the Olympics.
“That’s all she wants our focus on now.”
Gustavsson said visiting players in their club spaces between camps was an important part of how he operated.
“It is part of our strategy to be close to the clubs and collaborate with them as much as we can and also visit players and show interest in their development,” he said.
As part of this trip Gustavsson has also made time to meet with Postecoglou while stopping in to chat to recent Tottenham import Charli Grant.
Unlike Gustavsson, Postecoglou has coached the national team to a win at a major tournament – he was at the helm when the Socceroos won the Asian Cup in 2015.
“Sometimes as a coach it’s also a personal development trip as well to get some inspiration and insights,” Gustavsson said.
“He knows everything about the Australian landscape and he’s had a phenomenal journey and what he’s done with Spurs in terms of playing style and identity and confidence from being a club and team lacking confidence is tremendously impressive.
“I haven’t met him personally before so I’m really privileged and honoured to get the chance to do that.
“We have been invited to watch the training and then have a lunch with him so I hope to get some experience from him and learn and interact and get inspired and hopefully also watch a couple of things in training that I can pick up, so it will be an interesting trip.”
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