Ex-Postecoglou ally makes Barcelona claim about Tottenham manager

Massimo Luongo believes Ange Postecoglou would have implemented the same ideas he is using at Tottenham even if he was the Barcelona boss.

Having played 31 games under Postecoglou when he was the Australia manager, Luongo had no doubts that the 59-year-old would do well in the Premier League.

The Ipswich Town midfielder feels the Tottenham manager has proved people wrong after initially being cast aside due to being an Australian.

“No, no, definitely not [surprised to see Postecoglou work at this level]”, Luongo said on The Optus Sport Football Podcast (30 October).

“When he got the job, I think everyone was surprised an Aussie – he’d probably say that himself – can just jump into a Premier League role and do well.

“He gets probably… we all get cast aside a little because we are Australian and we don’t know how to play football and all that stuff.

“I always thought once he gets the opportunity… he believes in his coaching and his methods so much that he could do it at any club.

“Whether it’s Barcelona or Tottenham or a League One team, he’d implement the same style, the same tactics and the same ideas and culture and everything.

“[I knew] once he gets a chance, he’ll definitely take it and he has and everyone loves him from the outside.”

Ange Postecoglou still has more to prove at Tottenham

Postecoglou's determination to stick with his methods and tactics regardless of the opposition or the players at his disposal is admirable.

However, the Greek-Australian tactician still has more to prove in North London, having missed out on UEFA Champions League qualification last term.

His statement about always winning silverware in his second season at a club (Sky Sports, 17 September) has also garnered a lot of media attention.

The fact that Spurs currently sit eighth in the Premier League with four wins in nine, therefore, does not bode well for the former Celtic boss.

Tottenham, though, are one of three teams to have won each of their three UEFA Europa League games this season and it remains to be seen if Postecoglou can keep his word.

Meanwhile, it will also be interesting to see if he will be tempted to leave Spurs if a club like Barcelona came calling.

In other Tottenham news, Guglielmo Vicario's comments after the defeat to Crystal Palace have raised alarm bells among some.

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