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Former Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou is feeling the pressure in his second season at the helm of Tottenham Hotspur, with tensions boiling over during a post-match interview after Spurs’ 3-2 defeat to Everton.

The loss, Tottenham’s 12th of the Premier League campaign, has left them languishing in 15th place and sparked further questions about Postecoglou’s ability to turn things around.

In what has become a frustrating pattern for Spurs this season, the first-half performance was riddled with errors. Postecoglou himself shouldered some of the blame, admitting that his tactical choices and lineup adjustments contributed to the poor start. Everton capitalised, leaving Spurs chasing the game by half-time. Despite showing improvement in the second half, Tottenham ultimately fell short, with the defeat adding to a growing list of disappointing results.

The frustration of the situation spilt into Postecoglou’s exchange with a BBC reporter after the match. When the interview began with the phrase, “Ange, familiar story,” the Aussie bristled, responding sarcastically, “Yeah, okay, great way to start an interview,” before proceeding with his analysis. He later took responsibility for guiding his struggling squad, saying, “I have the responsibility of the group of players I do have, to try and get us through this.”

However, the mounting losses and a lack of cohesion on the pitch have only intensified speculation about his future at the club. Postecoglou’s second season, expected to be one of progress, has instead been derailed by injuries and underwhelming performances. Despite his success at Celtic, where he revolutionised the team and won back-to-back titles, his methods appear to be facing greater resistance in the more unforgiving Premier League environment.

Australian journalist Vince Rugari, who has followed Postecoglou’s career closely, highlighted how the pressure can sometimes get the better of the Spurs boss, tweeting: “This is unfortunately a bit of a character flaw. When things aren’t going well he snaps at totally fair questions. Happened with Socceroos towards the end. He’s better than this.”

At Celtic, Postecoglou could be sharp when pressed by journalists, but he often defused moments with humour or a well-timed “mate.” His current spikiness appears to reflect the mounting strain of a season that hasn’t gone according to plan.

Injuries to key players have undoubtedly hampered his efforts, while critics of his appointment—some of whom were quick to dismiss his credentials because he came from the Scottish Premiership—have been vocal during his struggles.

The coming weeks will be pivotal for Postecoglou if he’s given more time to turn things around.

Celtic have bolstered their scouting department with the addition of veteran talent-spotter David Pleat, who joins the club after his long association with Tottenham Hotspur ended last year.

The 80-year-old will use his vast experience to identify talent for the Scottish champions, working under Celtic’s head of football operations, Paul Tisdale.

Pleat’s appointment comes as a boost for Brendan Rodgers, who has been vocal about the need to strengthen the scouting network, particularly as Celtic compete in the Champions League and continue their domestic dominance.

The former Spurs manager brings decades of experience.

Pleat’s departure from Spurs last year highlighted the growing divide in football recruitment strategies.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy informed Pleat that his traditional scouting methods were being phased out in favour of a data-driven approach.

Speaking to the Telegraph at the time, Pleat revealed his disappointment at being let go but acknowledged the direction Spurs were heading.

“Daniel Levy called me in and said, ‘You know it’s all data-driven now, we don’t need eyes and ears,’” Pleat explained. “What a nonsense. I didn’t argue. He’s in charge.”

With Pleat now part of the team, Celtic hope to identify under-the-radar talents in England and beyond. His knowledge of the lower leagues in England, where he famously discovered Dele Alli playing for MK Dons, could be a significant asset.

It will be interesting to see how he fits in.

In the modern game, data is highly useful, but it doesn’t always tell the full story.

David Pleat has made a surprise return to football, taking up a scouting role with Celtic at the age of 80.

The experienced former manager and scout has been brought on board to strengthen the Scottish champions’ recruitment efforts in England, MailSport reports.

Pleat, who managed Tottenham Hotspur twice during his career, will now assist Celtic for the next 12 months, focusing on identifying talent south of the border. His appointment was facilitated by Paul Tisdale, Celtic’s new head of football operations and a former manager of Exeter City.

Tisdale was appointed after the summer transfer window, although he did help out before being given the role at Celtic.

Pleat is no stranger to talent-spotting, having worked as a scout for Tottenham until last year. With over three decades of experience in management and recruitment, he brings a wealth of footballing knowledge to Celtic’s scouting network.

The addition of Pleat will be welcomed by manager Brendan Rodgers, who currently operates with a relatively lean scouting department. Reports indicate that Celtic are served by only half a dozen scouts, meaning Pleat’s expertise and vast contacts in English football could prove invaluable as the club seeks to maintain domestic dominance and improve its European competitiveness.

The move comes at a critical time for Celtic, who are actively pursuing reinforcements during the January transfer window. With Brendan Rodgers keen to bolster his squad for the Champions League and the title run-in, Pleat’s knowledge of the English market could help identify under-the-radar talents or experienced players capable of making an immediate impact.

Former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou is reportedly eyeing a January move for Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn, with Tottenham Hotspur among several Premier League clubs considering an approach for the in-form German.

After joining Celtic for £3 million in January 2024, Kuhn had a slow start to life at Celtic, but he quickly found his form and this season as been spectacular.

This season, he has racked up 25 goal contributions in as many games, with 14 goals and 11 assists, cementing his place as one of the standout players in Brendan Rodgers’ squad.

His skill, pace, and creativity have made him a pivotal figure in Celtic’s domestic dominance and Champions League campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, and Newcastle United are among the clubs monitoring Kuhn’s situation closely, with Brentford, Brighton, and Crystal Palace also expressing interest, reports TBR Football.

Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou, who departed Celtic in 2023, is said to be particularly keen on adding the 24-year-old to his attacking arsenal.

Despite not working with Kuhn directly at Celtic, Postecoglou is said to be an admirer of the winger.

Celtic are understandably eager to retain Kuhn, especially with crucial Champions League fixtures and a potential knockout round on the horizon. Brendan Rodgers would be reluctant to lose such a key player mid-season, particularly given Kuhn’s importance in a squad managing injuries on the wing.

The Scottish champions are expected to resist any offers unless an extraordinary bid is tabled. Kuhn’s value to Celtic is immeasurable, but the club’s business model has historically seen them sell top talents if the price is right.

Postecoglou’s track record of raiding former clubs for players he knows well could make this rumour credible. When at Celtic, he went for players he had worked with, Daizen Maeda and Aaron Mooy, as well as tempting players he had watched in Japan from the opposition dugout.

Former Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has named a Hoops supporter in his Tottenham side to face Rangers at Ibrox tonight in the Europa League.

Englishman Archie Gray revealed when he signed for Spurs that Postecoglou’s success at Celtic played a big part in his move to Tottenham in the summer for a reported £40 million.

With himself and his family hugely enjoying Ange’s time in Glasgow.

Gray said: (Tottenham Hotspur), “I’m a massive Celtic fan, so I love him, my whole family love him.”

It is a test for Gray at Ibrox tonight, starting at centre-back at just 18 years old.

However, in Postecoglou, he has a coach who is very clear in how he likes his players to play, particularly his defenders, to pass forward every time they are on the ball to constantly test the opposition.

Gray, who can also play in midfield and at right-back, has been shifted to centre-back due to a defensive injury crisis at the Premier League side.

Having played 44 games for Leeds United last season in the English Championship, Gray has consistent game time at an early age, and against the Ibrox side, he has a great opportunity to live a lifelong dream of winning a game at Ibrox.

Although it may not be for Celtic, it will still mean a lot to a lifelong Hoops supporter who appreciated Postecoglou’s two incredible seasons with Celtic.

Former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has been labelled ‘one-dimensional’ by Michael Owen, who believes the Australian’s expansive style may not be suited to the demands of the Premier League.

This criticism followed Tottenham’s recent 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, which has sparked debate about whether Postecoglou’s approach will hold up in England’s top flight.

Since leaving Celtic for Tottenham, Postecoglou’s reputation has divided opinions. While fans and pundits alike appreciate his straightforward personality and attacking philosophy, there’s an ongoing debate over whether his style can sustain a title-winning campaign in the Premier League.

Owen is the latest to weigh in, expressing doubts about whether Postecoglou’s commitment to attacking football can truly compete with the league’s demands.

Speaking to the Wide World of Sports, Owen said: “He plays great football, I suppose there’s a little split. In terms of popularity, there is no split – everybody loves him, loves his interviews, he’s very direct, very straight, he’s got a sense of humour, he plays in a really attractive way. From that point of view, everybody loves him.”

Owen added: “But from the way he plays, and whether he can go and win a Premier League, there is a split. I think fans, pundits, et cetera doubt whether you can be that open, that expansive, and that one-dimensional to go and win a league.

“When I say one-dimensional, I don’t mean the way they play – I mean it’s this way or not.”

This isn’t the first time Postecoglou has faced scrutiny for his tactical approach. Although initially criticised at Celtic, his high intensity and attacking style delivered silverware and an eventual treble, proving hugely effective in Scottish football.

However, critics south of the border question whether his “all-or-nothing” tactics can survive the pace and defensive organisation in the English game.

With Tottenham aiming to break their long-standing trophy drought, Postecoglou must prove he can adapt and evolve his tactics to suit the challenges of the Premier League. Whether he will is a different equation, though.

Former Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has taken a dig at the English Premier League and those within its circles, explaining how the division lives in its own pretentious world.

The Aussie boss departed Glasgow over a year ago for North London, taking on the Tottenham Hotspur job.

So far down south, Postecoglou hasn’t particularly set the heather alight. He led Spurs to a fifth-place finish in the league during his first season in charge, narrowly missing out on a Champions League place.

Not long into his second campaign at the helm, though, there are signs of progress, with his side competing on both domestic and European fronts.

As Spurs fight a gruelling schedule and Postecoglou proceeds with his traditional play style regardless of the result, he faces scrutiny from pundits and fans alike, who tell him to be more pragmatic.

The 59-year-old resultantly took a sly dig at the critics within English football.

“There’s a little bit of pretentiousness and arrogance about people in the premier league thinking they’re in a special place,” said Postecoglou (Optus Sport).

“But it’s still football.

“The scrutiny is not a challenge for me.”

Postecoglou’s unique methods worked wonders at Celtic. During his two highly successful campaigns in charge of the club, he won five trophies, including a domestic treble.

The Spurs boss, though, outlined the unique challenge of managing the Bhoys, explaining that, in comparison to Spurs, it’s not for the faint-hearted.

“The club (Spurs) has its own unique challenges, for sure.

“Are they more difficult than others? I don’t know. When I was at Celtic, people said ‘Well, yeah, but Celtic are expected to win’. I go, ‘Yeah, that’s right, you’re expected to win’.

“You lose one game and it’s a big problem for you. Not many can cope with that.

“So it’s just a different challenge [at Spurs] for sure.”

The standards at Celtic are undoubtedly much higher than that of Spurs’.

It says a lot that some of the club’s supporters were happy to lose a game against Manchester City so that it would prevent their North London rivals, Arsenal, from winning the league.

Postecoglou has already learned a lot during his time south of the border. As the season progresses, so too will the pressure for him to win something.

Former Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart was unsurprised by his old boss Ange Postecoglou’s demeanour following Tottenham’s collapse against Brighton in the English Premier League on Sunday.

Spurs led the game at half-time by two goals to nil, thanks to strikes from Brennan Johnson and James Maddison.

Hosts Brighton came out a different animal in the second 45, though, as Postecoglou’s men lost their way and fell to a harrowing 3-2 defeat.

The Aussie manager looked shot on his feet at full-time. He seemed gut-wrenched in his several post-match interviews.

Ex-Celt Hart wasn’t surprised by his mood.

“I am really not [surprised]; he [Postecoglou] really puts emphasis on morals, on being a constant good person, striving to get the best,” quipped the now-retired ‘keeper (Match of the Day via RecordSport).

“It almost felt like Tottenham had cracked it, they were excellent in the first half, off the back of some great results. They had the better of Brighton, they wanted to ease into the second half, Brighton weren’t going to let that happen again.”

Tottenham were gaining some momentum before Sunday’s match.

An emphatic 3-0 triumph at Old Trafford was arguably their best performance of the Postecoglou era. They then beat Ferencvaros 2-1 last Thursday in Europe, extending their winning run to five games.

Sunday came as an almighty blow, though, especially heading into the international break.

Postecoglou has consistently communicated that he will deliver success to Spurs, but so far, he has yet to bring the club to the heights he reached with Celtic.

Five trophies – a domestic double followed by a treble – across two years in Glasgow after joining the Hoops off the back of their worst season in modern history has to be commended.

He left in a respectable manner, but things haven’t quite gone to plan for the 59-year-old in North London.

Despite bringing equal levels of success to the club, Celtic’s last two managers, Brendan Rodgers and Ange Postecoglou, are notably different in many aspects.

The current Parkhead boss maintains a tight-knit relationship with his players, while his predecessor tends to take a step back.

Similarly, Rodgers seems to love talking to the media and cleverly deals with them. While Postecoglou equally knows how to handle himself in interviews and the like, he isn’t fond of being in front of the press.

Current Spurs star James Maddison has recently touched on the differences between the two bosses.

The attack-minded midfielder played under Rodgers at Leicester before moving to North London, where Postecoglou now manages him.

Maddison is in a perfect position to judge each gaffers’ way of working, and admitted both deal with players in contrasting ways.

“He’s (Postecoglou) a good man but he’s also someone who will not let the manager and player relationship get too tight,” he said (Golf Life via Football Scotland).

“For example like Brendan Rogers who I had for five years at Leicester, he was very arm around you and made you feel so good. Like you could go in his office for a coffee and talk.

“They’re both great men but just different.”

Certain managers’ styles benefit some players more than others, and that was no more evident than in Matt O’Riley’s form for Celtic last season.

The Dane showed signs of promise under Postecoglou but seemed to truly kick on under Rodgers, eventually departing Glasgow in a £30m move to Brighton this summer.

Both bosses can take credit for O’Riley’s success, but as Maddison admitted, their managerial styles are at opposite ends of the spectrum.

Former Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou is set to return to Glasgow this season.

The draw for the initial league phase of the UEFA Europa League was made this afternoon, with the Aussie’s Tottenham Hotspur side in the hat.

They were in pot one alongside Rangers and inevitably, have been drawn to face the Glasgow side at Ibrox.

Postecoglou will relish the opportunity to return to Scotland and get one over on his old rivals.

Indeed, the last time Postecoglou managed against them, he lost 3-0. The 59-year-old will look to put that straight as he brings his star-studded Spurs side north of the border.

It will be an intriguing night in Govan, to say the least, but the visitors will go into the tie undoubted favourites.

Along with Rangers, they will also face Roma, AZ Alkmaar, Ferencvaros, Qarabag, Galatasaray, Elfsborg, and Hoffenheim as they look to make it to the knockout stages of Europe’s second-tier competition.