For Ange Postecoglou, the job of being Tottenham Hotspur coach never stops and he playfully made a point of showing it late on Wednesday night.
Postecoglou’s Spurs drew 1-1 with Newcastle United during regular time before a surprise – at least to the coaches – penalty shootout was called after full time which Newcastle claimed 5-4 in front of an MCG crowd of 78,419.
Tottenham Hotspur coach Ange Postecoglou, right, and former Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak thanks fans at the MCG on Wednesday night.Credit: Getty Images
The Melbourne-raised manager plans to see a few friends in town and then meet his family for a holiday in Greece.
But planning for next season is already underway, with Spurs keen to chase several signings and continue rebuilding their list to meet Postecoglou’s high-tempo style.
Spurs put their players on a plane after Wednesday night’s game although a number of them will join their national teams for Euro 2024 or Copa America preparations.
“The boys are straight on a plane tonight. It was an enormous effort from them when you consider the travel we needed to do to get here and straight after a pretty important [EPL] game,” Postecoglou said.
Tottenham’s Son Heung-min dribbles against Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier on Wednesday night.Credit: Getty Images
“I have the bus ride back to the hotel and that will be it. It never really stops. But I will have some time off. I will meet up with the family on the weekend and we will go to Greece and switch off for a couple of weeks.
“But it never stops. There is plenty to do, but there are a lot of people doing the bulk of it. I will just be there to provide some direction.”
When the first question from an English journalist asked if he planned to sign players early in the transfer window, Postecoglou was quick to make his point.
“You asked how much time was I going to get off?” he exclaimed.
“They want the players in early. I have to get them in tomorrow.”
Spurs star James Maddison doesn’t regret his club’s whirlwind trip to Australia despite the jetlag.
The English midfielder smashed home a first-half goal and gave the crowd of 78,419 fans his trademark “throw of the dart” celebration and while he has a hectic trip, he enjoyed his visit to the MCG.
“It was a long, long flight – we were in the air longer than we are here for,” Maddison said with a smile. “But the reaction we got and the welcome makes the trip worth it.”
James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur does his goal celebration.Credit: Getty Images
Maddison will only get a handful of days rest before joining the extended England squad, Newcastle United skipper and England defender Kieran Trippier will also be among that group.
Trippier only played 30 minutes on Wednesday night to protect his body before camp.
“We will go back, have a nice long flight and a glass of wine then have a couple of days off,” Maddison said.
“Hopefully, I have time to recover, get my sleeping pattern back on normal English time and then go and train hard and perform well in a couple of friendlies and try and be on that team.”
Postecoglou admitted it was special to coach one of the world’s biggest clubs in his own home city and Maddison praised his “gaffer” who signed him last off-season from Leicester City.
“He is quite popular isn’t he?” Maddison said.
“Ange is a good man. A great character and I love working for him.
“To see him in his country with the support he gets here. It was nice to see.”
‘More game time’ – Howe on Kuol
Newcastle United coach Eddie Howe praised young Australian forward Garang Kuol for slotting home a penalty in the post game shootout but admits he needs to find game time next season.
The 19-year-old came on in the 71st minute for his first appearance in a Newcastle shirt, almost two years after they first signed him.
Garang Kuol of Newcastle takes a penalty.Credit: Getty
Kuol has been on loan in Scotland last campaign and in the Netherlands this past season but he has struggled to earn game time with only eight starts this past season, something that Howe said has to change.
“Possibly, another loan spell for him I think will be important,” Howe said.
“He’s had a couple of loan spells now but I think he needs the next one to be a successful one.
“We need him to play more game time. Hopefully, that’ll happen.”
Howe plans to use Kuol and many of his young players in Friday night’s clash with the A-League All-Stars at Marvel Stadium.
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