Speaking ahead of Tottenham’s clash with Newcastle United on Wednesday night, Ange Postecoglou backed the A-Leagues Grand Final to be a cracker, while also heaping praise on Central Coast Mariners and Wellington Phoenix.
Ange Postecoglou transformed the way football is played in Australia during his time Down Under. Now, Central Coast Mariners are transforming the Isuzu UTE A-League with their philosophy.
Postecoglou is back in Melbourne for the first time since the pre-COVID days, albeit with Tottenham, gearing up for Wednesday night’s showdown against Premier League rivals Newcastle United at the MCG.
It is part of the build-up to Saturday’s blockbuster Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final between the Mariners and his former club Melbourne Victory in Gosford on Saturday night.
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Central Coast are eyeing back-to-back Championships and the first treble in A-League Men history, while Victory are back in the decider for the first time since winning the competition in 2018.
Aussie trailblazer Postecoglou, who won two Championships with Brisbane Roar in a period that transcended football in the country, heaped praise on the Mariners, Wellington Phoenix and Victory boss Tony Popovic, having watched both Semi-Finals last week.
“Central Coast have done an outstanding job. Obviously Monty did a great job the last few years with them, its a great story. But this year they’ve gone on to another level,” Postecoglou told reporters when asked by aleagues.com.au who had stood out to him this season.
“They’ve done it with young guys, a different style of recruitment which I think is great.
“Wellington have done an outstanding job as well, great to see them there. And Popa (Popovic) is always in there mate, he never stops competing.
“When the trophies are there to be handed out, he’s always there or thereabouts. Looking forward to the Final, it should be a cracking game.”
Tottenham’s friendly showdown with Newcastle in Melbourne is two days before the A-Leagues All Stars double-header featuring the latter and Arsenal at Marvel Stadium on Friday night. While the Grand Final is 24 hours later at Industree Group Stadium.
After guiding Tottenham to fifth place in his first season at the helm of Spurs, Postecoglou was asked about the club’s friendly being during the same week as the Isuzu UTE A-League showpiece.
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“I think it’s a good thing. It gets people talking about the game,” said Postecoglou.
“I guess its one of the bewilderments I have about Australian football, we think we compete with each other, but I think the fact there’s a big game (tomorrow), Newcastle, All Stars, I think it puts a focus on the game and helps highlights the Grand Final too.
“I watched both finals last week and it should be a cracking game.”
Postecoglou drew a massive crowd for his pre-game press conference in Melbourne, where a large contingent of broadcast and online media were in attendance at AAMI Park.
The former Socceroos, Yokohama F.Marinos and Celtic boss was joined by his Spurs skipper Son Heung-min, who revealed one of his close friends plays in the Isuzu UTE A-League – Melbourne City star Tolgay Arslan.
Son and Arslan played together at German giants Hamburg.
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“My friend is playing here so he wants to see me,” Son said. “He’s been playing in Melbourne. This year he joined the club, could be good seeing my friend again here.
“This is the last game of the season so I want to go home as well as soon as possible after we finish the game. So any chance if I can see him around would be good.
“Tolgay Arslan (is my friend). One of my best friends actually!”
Only a few hours later, after Spurs’ opening training session at AAMI Park, there was a beautiful moment as the pair reunited.
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