Ange Postecoglou inspires next generation after historic Europa League win
Postecoglou’s Europa League triumph with Tottenham hailed in Australia as a breakthrough moment for Aussie coaches.
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| Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou celebrates their Europa League victory during the UEFA Europa League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at San Mamés in Bilbao, Spain, on May 21, 2025. Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates |
By Adila Ghina and Widya Putri
Tottenham Hotspur’s dramatic 1–0 victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final has not only ended the club’s 17-year trophy drought but also propelled head coach Ange Postecoglou into the spotlight back home in Australia. The 59-year-old manager has been widely celebrated for his leadership, tactical acumen, and most importantly, for inspiring the next generation of Australian coaches.
Ange Postecoglou inspires the next generation now defines more than just his impact at Spurs—it encapsulates his influence on Australian football as a whole. While the Premier League campaign may not have gone to plan for Postecoglou, Wednesday night’s triumph in Bilbao has sparked a wave of national pride and renewed belief in what Australian coaching can achieve on the global stage.
A hero’s welcome from Football Australia
Football Australia was quick to congratulate Postecoglou following Tottenham’s Europa League success, calling attention to the “three Aussies at the centre” of the club’s achievement. The governing body praised Postecoglou alongside his coaching assistants—former Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak and Nick Montgomery, a Leeds-born Australian who was naturalised and began his coaching career Down Under.
“Congratulations for continuing to break down barriers and inspire the next generation of Australian coaches,” the organisation said in a statement, referring directly to Postecoglou’s trailblazing work abroad.
Their words reflect a broader sentiment within Australia: that Postecoglou’s success abroad is not just personal—it belongs to a wider movement aimed at elevating Australian coaching standards and proving their worth on the global stage.
Roots in South Melbourne and the Hellenic community
Postecoglou’s journey from a youth player at South Melbourne FC to a Europa League-winning manager has become a source of immense pride for his boyhood club and the Greek-Australian community. South Melbourne, affectionately known as “Hellas,” celebrated his victory with a tribute on social media.
“From his early days as a Hellas junior, to a championship-winning captain and coach, Ange has gone on to become a serial winner wherever he's been,” the club posted. “His football journey is truly one of a kind.”
The Greek-Australian newspaper Neos Kosmos called the Europa League title a moment of “immense community pride.” Meanwhile, Victorian politician Steve Dimopoulos echoed the sentiment, calling it a “major achievement” for both Australian football and Australia’s Greek community.
Second season magic strikes again
Postecoglou has often declared that he always wins a trophy in his second season, a prophecy that has now fulfilled itself at Tottenham Hotspur. The victory in Bilbao follows his second-season successes with previous clubs such as Celtic and Yokohama F. Marinos, as well as his trophy-laden tenure with the Australian national team.
“Some called it a meaningless boast,” wrote national broadcaster ABC. “To others, it was a delusional symptom of the failure virus that has infiltrated everything associated with Tottenham for the past two decades. To Ange Postecoglou, it was belief.”
That belief has now silenced many of his critics, especially those who doubted his ability to deliver silverware at a club with a well-documented history of falling short on big occasions.
A bittersweet success amid Premier League struggles
Despite the euphoria surrounding the Europa League victory, Postecoglou’s job security remains a topic of debate. Tottenham’s Premier League campaign has been widely seen as underwhelming, with the club finishing near the bottom half of the table—a position far below expectations.
For some, the Europa League triumph is seen as a distraction from Spurs’ domestic underperformance. For others, it's a sign of what Postecoglou can achieve given more time and resources.
The disparity between European success and domestic failure has put Tottenham’s hierarchy in a difficult position. But for many in Australia, the win in Bilbao is enough to secure his legacy, regardless of what happens next.
A new legacy for Australian coaches
Ange Postecoglou inspires the next generation is not merely symbolic. For aspiring Australian coaches, Postecoglou represents the possibility of success at the highest levels of world football—something once thought nearly unattainable.
He has broken through cultural, tactical, and professional barriers. He has carried the flag for Australian football across Asia, Europe, and now in one of football’s toughest managerial roles.
His victory has also lifted the profile of his coaching staff. Mile Jedinak, who captained the Socceroos at the 2018 World Cup, and Nick Montgomery, who led Central Coast Mariners to an A-League title, have now tasted European success at Tottenham.
The impact on future generations
Postecoglou’s triumph is expected to have ripple effects throughout Australian football. Coaching academies, A-League clubs, and national programs are likely to benefit from the inspiration and increased interest his win has generated.
Already, young coaches across the country are referencing his methods, watching Spurs games for tactical inspiration, and echoing his ethos of attacking football and belief in one’s vision.
Football Australia’s public celebration of his victory reinforces that Postecoglou’s success is not just about one man—it’s a validation of the Australian footballing philosophy he helped shape.
What comes next for Postecoglou?
The Europa League trophy marks a high point in Postecoglou’s career, but questions remain about his future with Tottenham. Whether or not he remains at the club, his legacy is secure in Australia.
Postecoglou himself has remained focused and characteristically understated, insisting that belief and persistence matter more than outside opinions.
If he stays, he will look to build on this European success and bring domestic glory to North London. If not, there will be no shortage of top-level suitors eager to hire a proven winner.
What’s undeniable is that Ange Postecoglou inspires the next generation—and that influence will resonate in Australia for years to come. His journey, from South Melbourne’s “Hellas” to the pinnacle of European competition, is now a cornerstone of Australian football history.
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