Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou praises A-League clubs ahead of special homecoming

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has heaped praise on two A-League clubs on his return to Australia but still harbours doubt over how the game can grow.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has promised a goalfest when his side takes on Newcastle United at the MCG on Wednesday night. Picture: Barrington Coombs / Getty Images

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou says Australian football faces the same problems it has been plagued with for years and remains “not the most fertile of ground”.

But the nation’s most influential figure in the sport has been buoyed by on-field action in the A-Leagues this season and says young players will continue to emerge on the world stage.

Postecoglou flew into Melbourne in the early hours of Tuesday morning ahead of Spurs’ post-season friendly at the MCG against Newcastle United on Wednesday night which looms as a special homecoming for the proud Victorian, who is also a loyal Carlton supporter in the AFL.

The former Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory coach said he believed football was in a holding pattern in Australia despite a turbulent 18 months.

“How long have you got? I guess football in Australia is football in Australia, I don’t think too much has changed,” he quipped when asked for his appraisal on the game at the Global Football Week Lunch in Melbourne.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou returned to the MCG on Tuesday, where has previously coached with the Socceroos and Melbourne Victory in their historic friendly against Liverpool. Picture: Mark Stewart

“There’s obviously some challenges here that to be honest have always been there, and potentially could always be there … it’s not the most fertile of ground, but whatever does grow, it’s pretty nice mate.

“Whatever comes through football here is pretty cool, because it makes an impact worldwide.

“We’re still getting young guys going over (to Europe) now, the girls are just smashing it, so sometimes the most barren of ground the most beautiful things grow, and I certainly think that’s the case with football.”

Postecoglou remains a devout A-League viewer overseas and said he was impressed by crowd numbers and atmosphere at grounds during the current finals series.

“I still follow the A-League, if you walk into my office most mornings it’ll be on in the background, and I think Central Coast and Wellington this year have done a fantastic job,” he said.

“It’s great to see some of the clubs who haven’t been up there for a while challenging.

Postecoglou says he has enjoyed watching A-League Men grand finalist Central Coast Mariners over the past two years. Picture: Brendon Thorne / Getty Images

“Central Coast have been a great story, not just with their success but the way that they’ve done it – a lot of young players coming through.”

Tottenham brought a strong 24-man squad on its overseas tour after its Premier League season ended with a 3-0 win over Sheffield United on Monday to secure fifth place.

Postecoglou said he was disappointed with Spurs’ finish to the season after bursting ahead with 26 of a possible 30 points before injuries halted their momentum, but he had seen “decent progress” over his maiden EPL campaign.

He said a return to European competition in 2024-25 would provide an important increase in game time to help develop his squad.

On his third consecutive post-season trip back home to Australia after visiting with Celtic in 2022 and Tottenham last year, Postecoglou said he was eager to snap his losing streak on home soil at the MCG on Wednesday.

“I have the worst record in the world in friendly games, I haven’t won I think any over Australia in the last three years, so I want to put that right – hopefully that starts (Wednesday) night,” he said.

Originally published as Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou praises A-League clubs ahead of special homecoming