Tottenham set to hire Celtic boss Postecoglou – reports
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Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou celebrates after winning the Scottish Cup, their third domestic title in their recently concluded season.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Tottenham Hotspur are set to hire Celtic’s Ange Postecoglou as their new manager, according to reports on Monday.
Postecoglou has reportedly agreed a two-year contract with an option for a further season with Tottenham, after leading Celtic to a domestic treble in the recently concluded season.
The Australian, 57, had dodged questions on his future before and after Celtic’s Scottish Cup final win over Inverness on Saturday.
Spurs are desperate to find a new boss, after a dismal campaign in the English Premier League
Neither club are commenting publicly but reports claim Postecoglou told Celtic principal shareholder Dermot Desmond on Saturday that he plans to join the north London club.
Speaking after the Scottish Cup final, the Greek-born former Australia boss said: “I anticipate enjoying this moment for the next 24 to 48 hours, as long as I can, before someone drags me away and takes my attention away from enjoying something that’s been hard-earned.
“The reality is, there’s probably players in that dressing room who won’t be here next year. That’s the nature of football.
“But I want them to enjoy it, I am going to enjoy it, and that’s all I am going to focus on until someone grabs me by the collar and tells me that I have to answer certain questions.”
Postecoglou has won five domestic trophies, including successive league titles, since arriving at Celtic from Japan’s Yokohama F Marinos in 2021.
He became popular with the Celtic fan base, not just for resuming their success after a barren season, but also for implementing an attacking style of play.
But now he looks set to swop Glasgow for another rebuilding job as Tottenham finally hope to appoint a permanent successor to Antonio Conte, who departed by mutual consent on March 26.
Postecoglou is due to go on a family holiday on Tuesday and a deal could be finalised imminently, with compensation to Celtic yet to be agreed on.
Tottenham finished eighth in the Premier League – outside the European spots – after a troubled campaign that saw Conte label the players “selfish”, while criticising the culture of a club that last won silverware in 2008.
Conte’s interim successor Cristian Stellini was quickly sacked after a wretched run,
Amid a toxic atmosphere in the stands throughout the season, fans called for Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy to quit and protested against club owners Enic.
Celtic are said to be considering the likes of Brendan Rodgers and Jesse Marsch as Postecoglou’s replacement. AFP
