X-rated rants and a plan to win everything: Ange’s Spurs project steps up a gear

London: The thought of Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou hiring professional pickpockets to steal the phones of his players prompts hoots of laughter from some of those that know him best.

Not out of disrespect for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who is known for hiding players’ phones so they would stay alert, but because, to put it bluntly, Postecoglou does not do gimmicks.

If Postecoglou needs his players to be on their toes, then he tells them to be – as was clear when the television microphones picked up the Australian laying into his players during a drinks break in the pre-season friendly against a K-League XI.

There wasn’t anything friendly about Postecoglou’s X-rated rant, as he instructed his players to press man-for-man. But communication is one of his strong points and those who witnessed some of his squad meetings and pre-match team talks last season rate them among the very best they have heard.

Despite momentarily losing his temper in Korea, Postecoglou was far happier with Tottenham’s pre-season this year. Given Spurs had a game cancelled and ended up playing Singapore Premier League side Lion City Sailors instead of Roma 12 months ago, a few complaints about the quality of the hotel WiFi this time around could be easily forgiven.

And rather than starting the season on the back of selling Tottenham’s record goalscorer, Harry Kane, Postecoglou can look forward to this campaign – which starts against Leicester City on Monday night (Tuesday morning AEST) – with his No.1 transfer target for the off-season in his squad.

New signing … Dominic Solanke will join Spurs from Bournemouth.Credit: AP

Tottenham started behind-the-scenes work on signing Dominic Solanke in June and while the deal was far from straightforward, it put a smile on the face of Postecoglou, who had been unequivocal in his determination for the club to sign an out-and-out No.9.

Given Tottenham’s immediate need for someone to put the ball in the back of the net, Postecoglou told the rest of the club’s transfer committee that he wanted somebody with experience playing in the Premier League, who could handle playing 40 to 45 games with a Europa League campaign on the horizon and who could fit into his tactical plan.

It was quickly agreed that Solanke ticked every box and Tottenham have undoubtedly signed somebody for now by agreeing to a deal worth £65 million ($126 million) for a 26-year-old, which shows that the Postecoglou project is about trying to win things as quickly as possible.

Ange Postecoglou, and Son Heung-min before Spurs friendly against against Team K-league in July.Credit: AP

Whether or not those on the outside believe it is realistic, Postecoglou will send his team out for the season with the intention of winning every competition they enter – including the Premier League title.

There are theories around the league that there may be an opportunity for clubs to profit from the uncertainty of Pep Guardiola’s future past this season and the 115 charges against Manchester City, which could prove to be a distraction. Liverpool could be set for a period of transition under a new head coach, while Arsenal must deal with the pressure of going so close on two successive occasions.

It might all prove to be wishful thinking, but Postecoglou’s Tottenham team must be ready to take advantage if some of their rivals trip up.

Tottenham’s players simply ran out of steam at the end of their first season under Postecoglou and they must now combine the domestic calendar with Europe. But there is confidence they will now be in better physical shape to last the course and that the squad is better suited to him.

Postecoglou would have ideally liked to team Solanke with Conor Gallagher, but Chelsea never quoted Spurs less than £45 million ($87 million), despite agreeing to sell him to Atletico Madrid for £33.7 million ($65 million).

Not an Angeballer … Pierre-Emile Højbjerg Credit: Getty

The priority for Postecoglou was Solanke and he accepted that it would have been difficult for Spurs to finance the signing of two players for a combined £110 million ($214 million) when there is work to be done elsewhere in the squad, either in this transfer window or in future windows.

Postecoglou was similarly understanding that a move for Nico Williams was never particularly realistic. Tottenham were one of a clutch of clubs to enquire what the conditions of a deal would be and were told that the winger’s £50 million ($97 million) Athletic Bilbao release clause could only be triggered by one immediate payment.

Tottenham’s strategy has been to shape the squad into a closer image of their head coach and what he demands from players. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – who joined Marseille – is still recognised inside the club as being an excellent midfielder, but he simply does not suit Postecoglou’s style. Emerson Royal, who moved to AC Milan, did not want to be Pedro Porro’s distant understudy while he retains ambitions to play for Brazil.

The plan is for more exits before the transfer window shuts and just who leaves may dictate any remaining incoming business, which, other than Solanke, has seen two young talents of enormous potential arrive at Tottenham over the off-season.

Archie Gray was not viewed as a priority target at the start of the window, but when Tottenham got wind that the 18-year-old could be joining Brentford the club quickly made their move.

The feeling within Spurs is that Gray is ready to help provide cover at right-back this season, but will eventually develop into a top-class midfielder and that versatility and promise was attractive to Postecoglou.

Tottenham agreed a deal to sign another 18-year-old, Lucas Bergvall, in February but the midfielder has only joined Postecoglou’s squad this northern summer and it is fair to say that everybody has been impressed with what they have seen.

Johan Lange, Tottenham’s technical director, has been credited with beating Barcelona to the signing of Bergvall, who is rated as one of the best young European talents in the game. Those who have seen him close up are excited about what the Swede can achieve once he can get fit enough to carry out Postecoglou’s instructions for full games.

The structured and methodical way in which Lange works has helped chairman Daniel Levy get on with what he is good at, negotiating. The pair have been joined in recruitment meetings by Postecoglou and chief football officer Scott Munn.

Fabio Paratici remains close to Levy, but has not been present in meetings or played a role in any of the major incomings or outgoings to date, which marks a shift in Tottenham’s approach to the transfer window.

The biggest change, however, is that Tottenham are a team that go into the season wanting to win with Postecoglou looking to pick the pockets of the opposition, rather than his own players.

The Telegraph, London

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