Welcome to Spurs: Ange's 'crash course' in PL chaos and the silver ...

In Ange Postecoglou’s first pre-season as a Premier League manager, he’s already face several challenges he could have done without.

The chief headache; the seemingly-imminent loss of his best player. The London club accepted a bid of $AUD168 million from Bayern Munich for superstar striker Harry Kane on Thursday (AEST) with the striker’s switch on the verge of being made official.

There have been many other, more minor, setbacks. Wet weather forced Tottenham’s friendly against Leicester City in Thailand to be called off while Roma also pulled out of a pre-season clash, robbing Postecoglou of vital game time to drill his methods into his players.

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Off the field, Tottenham owner Joe Lewis was charged with insider trading in the United States, adding yet another needed distraction for Postecoglou in what is his most important pre-season to date.

As the Daily Mail’s Matt Barlow pointed out, Lewis’ charges were the latest instalment in what many would describe as a very ‘Spurs-y’ welcome for Postecoglou.

“So here was one more cloud of uncertainty drifting across Postecoglou’s horizon since his arrival,” Barlow wrote.

“One he had no right to have expected. One more lesson in what has become a crash course in the perils of managing Tottenham.

“Things rarely go smoothly.”

Despite the uphill battles Postecoglou has already faced, there are early signs of promise his tenure at Tottenham could blossom into something brilliant.

He has seen an improvement from several players who struggled under his predecessors and a scintillating passage of play in a friendly shows the team have bought into his methods.

A lot has to go right for Postecoglou to succeed at a club where even some of modern football’s greatest managers have failed.

Yet the 57-year-old has proved all throughout his career that this is the environment in which he thrives.

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THE UNWANTED SIDESHOW THAT COULD DERAIL SEASON BEFORE IT HAS BEGUN

It’s startling to thing how low Spurs could have finished last season if it wasn’t for Kane.

The England captain contributed 30 league goals, the equal-most he has scored in a single Premier League season and 42.9 per cent of Tottenham’s total goals scored.

He also eclipsed Jimmy Greaves’ club record for most goals scored by a Tottenham player.

Safe to say, Kane has done it all for Tottenham except for one glaring, shiny, glorious exception: win a trophy.

Kane has been on the losing side of a final with Tottenham on three occasions: the Carabao Cup in 2014/15 and 2020/21 as well as the Champions League in 2018/19.

It is evident Kane desperately wants to win silverware with Tottenham but with one year remaining on his deal, he has arrived at a critical juncture in his career.

As it stands, Kane is leaning towards the latter after Tottenham accepted Bayern Munich’s bid.

Initial reports claimed the talisman was hesitant about leaving but the lure of silverware and guaranteed Champions League football may have proved too strong to turn down.

For Postecoglou, the fact this saga has dragged on until the eve of the season must have made it a frustrating sideshow.

Harry Kane is on the verge of a move to Bayern Munich. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

But if Kane leaves, could it mean the expectations are slightly lowered and Postecoglou earns himself a little more time in one of the most cutthroat leagues in the world?

According to The Athletic’s Charlie Eccleshare, it might add on a few more weeks to the Aussie’s grace period.

“I can definitely see for Postecoglou there is a sense that he could start the rebuild and there might be a bit more patience,” Eccleshare told the Fox Football Podcast.

“I think the problem with the whole Kane situation is that if he does stay, which is obviously good, but then it’s going to be a bit of a cloud next season.

“So in some ways, it might be better for the sake of the rebuild to do it and then Postecoglou has a bit more time.

“I think there would be more of an acceptance that things would take a little while if you just sold the best player.”

There will be plenty of intrigue as to how Tottenham and Postecoglou navigate a world post-Kane.

Do they spend the money across the team or invest heavily in a single replacement, even if they could be forced to significantly overpay given teams know they have cash to burn?

Regardless, the pending loss of Kane already puts Postecoglou at a serious disadvantage, even if it might extend his grace period.

Will expectations change if Tottenham lose their talisman? (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

19 CHARGES OF INSIDER TRADING LATER …

Just when Postecoglou thought he didn’t have enough off-field distractions in pre-season, Tottenham owner Joe Lewis had to throw himself into the mix.

The 86-year-old was charged with insider training in late July, although he denied the 19 counts in a Manhattan federal court and has been released on bail.

Lewis was accused of gifting his employees and love interests with inside details on deals from 2013 to 2021, with the scheme reportedly securing millions for those involved.

If found guilty, Lewis could face several years in prison given the most serious of his securities fraud and conspiracy charges carry a maximum sentence of 25 and five years in prison respectively.

Despite the justifiable concerns surrounding the club’s owner, Postecoglou unsurprisingly played a straight bat when quizzed if it would alter his pre-season plans.

“Why wouldn’t they be?” Postecoglou said.

“The club’s already said it’s not a club matter. We’re not putting out a statement that’s not true so if it’s not a club matter it doesn’t affect me in terms of what I’m trying to do so no-one’s said anything like that to me.

“If you think that’s what I’m involved in you don’t know what my role is here.”

As Postecoglou was at pains to point out, Lewis’ charges are not a club matter.

But it created an unnecessary side plot in a pre-season in which the Tottenham manager could most certainly have done without.

Tottenham owner Joe Lewis was slapped with 19 charges of insider trading. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

ANGE LIVES UP TO CHAIRMAN’S WISH, BUT WILL DEJA VU STRIKE?

For several years, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has stated his desire to see attractive football grace the turf at the club’s state-of-the-art venue.

But the appointments of Nuno Espirito Santo, Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte in recent years did not match up with that sentiment.

Yet in the club’s statement announcing Postecoglou’s appointment, Levy made a comment that sums up the Aussie perfectly and might actually reflect his wish.

“Ange brings a positive mentality and a fast, attacking style of play,” Levy said.

“He has a strong track record of developing players and an understanding of the importance of the link from the academy - everything that is important to our Club.”

That “fast, attacking style of play”, also described as ‘Angeball’, has been on display during Tottenham’s pre-season.

One example was in their friendly against Barcelona, where a clip of the team — largely made up of second-stringers — building out from the back early in the second half did the rounds on social media.

Fans and pundits were left astounded that Spurs could invite such pressure onto themselves and still make it up the field.

The Guardian’s Max Rushton wrote “Spurs just played more football in 30 seconds than in the previous 3 years,” while Football.London’s Alasdair Gold claimed Tottenham “suddenly seemed able to pass the ball around with a verve and confidence that the Barca fans were expecting from their own side.”

Even the Spanish media raved about Postecoglou’s side, with Mundo Deportivo journalist Joan Poqui claiming the London club “dominated the game” in an “excellent” and “aggressive” display.

Yet it is important to remember all of this has happened in pre-season where a win helps breed confidence, but is not the be-all end-all.

Once the Premier League gets underway, there are no bonus points for playing entertaining football.

There’s also the history of Postecoglou’s team suffering slow starts at the beginning of his reign.

At Celtic, the Aussie was already under pressure at the start of the 2021/22 Scottish Premiership season as the Hoops lost three and drew one of their opening seven games, including a defeat to bitter rivals Rangers.

In his first season at Yokohama, Postecoglou won five of his opening 16 J1 League games and would end the campaign safe from a relegation playoff only on goal difference.

Granted, there were mitigating circumstances at both clubs.

He had overseen a significant player overhaul at Celtic as he moulded the squad to his liking while there was the obvious language barrier in Japan.

But, as history would prove, Postecoglou went on to enjoy tremendous success at both destinations.

The 57-year-old won the Scottish Premiership and League Cup in his first season at the helm before completing the domestic treble in his second year.

At Yokohama, Postecoglou ended the club’s 15-year drought for a J1 League title by finishing top of the pile in 2019, all while setting Japan alight with his eye-catching brand of football.

Eccleshare points out that based on Postecoglou’s past, it seems likely he won’t get off to a flying start in London.

But as his time in Glasgow and Yokohama proved, some patience is required.

The big question is: will he get it in a league notorious for lacking it?

“That to me is the crux of it,” Eccleshare said.

Postecoglou knows he must hit the ground running. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

“He probably will results-wise make a slow start. It’s a lot to try and implement in a short space of time.

“He has tended to have slow results early on at his other clubs. I just hope he is given time and patience by the fans, by the media, by the club in general.”

Even if Postecoglou doesn’t get the results he is after in his early days at the club, Eccleshare pointed to a clear example that highlights why it might not be as big a deal as it could be.

“One thing I would say is fans can generally tell if there’s at least a plan and the team is moving in the right direction,” Eccleshare said.

“Pochettino and Nuno’s first 10 games, the results were pretty similar points-wise.

“Nuno got the sack obviously and it was untenable because the football was dreadful and it was clear there wasn’t really a plan or they were moving in the right direction whereas with Pochettino, there was a lot more good will.

“I would hope that as long as it feels the team are moving in the right direction, the fans are a bit more supportive.

“I just hope there is a bit of a grace period where people accept it is going to take a bit of time for his methods to really bed in.”

Postecoglou has a mixed start to the season with an opening game at Brentford before they host Manchester United.

An easier run of Bournemouth (away), Burnley (away) and Sheffield United (home) awaits, but the Aussie will face tougher tests in the following two games.

Postecoglou’s first taste of the fiery North London derby against Arsenal (away) takes place on September 24 followed by a home fixture against Liverpool.

If the Aussie picks up a win against either of those two clubs or indeed both, it will buy him the most valuable commodity in the Premier League: time.

Even if he doesn’t, history has shown that when clubs back Postecoglou, he returns the favour in silverware, something Tottenham so desperately crave.

Is Postecoglou the man to end Tottenham’s wait for a trophy? (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP)Source: AFP

WHY ANGE MUST DEFY SERIAL WINNER’S EXTRAORDINARY RANT

In the wake of Tottenham’s 3-3 draw against Southampton in March in which they tossed away a 3-1 lead, former boss Antonio Conte launched into an extraordinary tirade in his post-match press conference.

Conte claimed he saw “11 players that play for themselves” and a group who “don’t want to play under pressure” and “don’t want to play under stress.”

Whatever Conte thought of his former players, they are now under the tutelage of Postecoglou and he will have formed his own take.

In terms of departures, Harry Winks (permanent move to Leicester) and Joe Rodon (loan to Leeds) are the only official ones, although Kane’s move to Bayern is all but confirmed.

Tottenham also turned a pair of loan signings permanent in Dejan Kulusevski and Pedro Porro, although the latter was an obligation

But Postecoglou also made a number of additions to his team that show he’s committed to changing the way Tottenham have played.

He’s brought in a new goalkeeper in Guglielmo Vicario, a relatively unknown quantity between the sticks but adept at having the ball at his feet, something Hugo Lloris struggled with.

There’s also the £40m addition of James Maddison who adds much-needed creativity into the midfield, while tricky winger Manor Solomon joined on a free and provides solid depth up front.

James Maddison is Tottenham’s marquee signing of the summer. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP)Source: AFP

One area in need of desperate improvement is at the heart of defence and Postecoglou has moved to address that, signing Micky van de Ven from Wolfsburg.

Postecoglou admitted he would like another centre-back through the door, stating “the potential is there” to do so, per Football.London.

But there is only so much Postecoglou can improve via the transfer window.

Much like Eddie Howe did to the likes of Joelinton, Miguel Almiron and Fabian Schar at Newcastle, Postecoglou must find a way to unlock new levels in the players he already has at his disposal.

Tottenham is not a bad team by any stretch and their fourth-place finish in the 2021/22 season proves that, yet there is certainly some truth behind Conte’s absurd rant.

But under Postecoglou, unheralded players could have their moment to shine.

Take Oliver Skipp, for example.

The England under-21 star never quite looked at home in a 2-man defensive midfield pairing under Conte but has appeared strong in Postecoglou’s 4-3-3 formation and scored twice against Barcelona.

“He has been outstanding,” Postecoglou said of Skipp after the friendly.

“Obviously he didn’t have much of a break but since he’s been in he’s got bags of energy and he uses that really well. He maintains an intensity with and without the ball that makes him hard to contend with.”

Another is Giovani Lo Celso, who spent the last 18 months out on loan at Villarreal.

But Eccleshare tipped a £25m signing from last year to flourish in Postecoglou’s set-up.

Oliver Skipp could be one player who enjoys a new lease of life under Postecoglou . (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

“A really important position for Ange would be that deep-lying No. 6 who can spray passes, kind of like Callum McGregor did [at Celtic],” Eccleshare said.

“I think (Yves) Bissouma could be really good for that. He did that a bit for Brighton.”

The 26-year-old’s passing numbers last season prove why he could be the metronome the Postecoglou system requires.

Per OptaAnalyst, Bissouma had the fifth-best passing rate of all Premier League players who logged at least 1,000 minutes.

Bissouma had a passing accuracy of 91.3 per cent, the best figure from a midfielder in the top flight.

The only players ahead of him were four centre-backs, three of which play for Manchester City who are known for passing teams to death: Manuel Akanji (93.3 per cent), John Stones (93.3 per cent), Victor Lindelof (93. per cent) and Ruben Dias (92.7 per cent).

Although Postecoglou could revolutionise Tottenham’s midfield, it is the defence which might give him more grey hairs.

Tottenham conceded 63 goals last season, their second-most in the Premier League era.

Signing Van de Ven won’t alleviate their defensive woes overnight and as is often the case under Postecoglou, his style can result in a worrying amount of goals conceded.

Bissouma looms as a key player for Postecoglou in his preferred three-man midfield. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

In his first season at Yokohama, Postecoglou’s side shipped 56 goals, the third-highest figure in the J1 League.

Part of the alarming figure of goals conceded is likely because Postecoglou employs a high defensive line and for some defenders, it can severely expose them.

Against Barcelona, Gold noted club stalwart Eric Dier “still does not look entirely comfortable with that high line.”

Gold also added “the fullbacks struggled with Barcelona’s balls over them and down the flanks” and singled out left back Sergio Reguilon as one who really battled.

Reguilon will likely be in direct competition for the starting left back role with 20-year-old Destiny Udogie, who spent last season on loan at Serie A club Udinese.

On the right side, Postecoglou has Emerson Royal who adopts a more defensive approach to playing and the attack-minded Pedro Porro.

The defenders on both flanks have had their chances to prove to Postecoglou why they deserve a starting berth, but from pre-season reports, none have quite done enough to nail down a spot.

If Postecoglou can tighten up Tottenham at the back, the rest will almost certainly take care of itself.

Postecoglou must fix Tottenham’s defence if he is to succeed this season. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP)Source: AFP

With just days until Tottenham’s Premier League opener, Postecoglou will no doubt be itching to just get on the touchline and get the season underway.

The moment he takes his spot in the dugout is one that has been decades in the making from the moment he began at South Melbourne way back in 1996.

Even if several factors have gone against him in his first pre-season at Tottenham, nothing can take away from the fact Postecoglou can say he has been a Premier League manager.

Granted, he has arrived at a club in dire need of a major refresh and he could lose his best player early into the season, things you would most certainly not want for your first shot at the big time.

Yet all throughout Postecoglou’s career that has taken him from suburban grounds in Australia to the World Cup, he’s often been the underdog.

It’s just the way he likes it and why this pre-season has set the perfect stage for him to shine.