Football
Spurs talks to Gary about being a refugee
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou admits he never thought his Premier League chance would come and that he was the “last man standing” in the selection process this summer.
Since swapping Celtic for Spurs, the 58-year-old has taken the club to second place in the fledgling Premier League table with an attractive brand of football.
“I never thought I would get here, to be honest, not because of my ability, just because no-one was looking this way,” he told the BBC.
“I have ended up really late in my career, managing one of the most famous clubs in the world in Celtic and one of the biggest football clubs in the world in Tottenham. It has come late, it just took someone to look beyond the norm.”
The Australian sat down to chat to ex-Tottenham striker Gary Lineker for Football Focus about many things, including…
- Going from staying in a refugee camp to playing for Australia
- His leadership style
- His time in Japan and finally getting the Celtic job
- Spurs being ready for attacking football after Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte
- Fighting for trophies and life after Harry Kane
On his refugee upbringing, his dad and Match of the Day…
Postecoglou was born in Greece but moved to Australia with his family as a young child when they lost their business after a military coup
“We were immigrants. I don’t look like your typical refugee, but I was five years old when we came, we went by boat, had no certainty about anything.
“At the time Australia was looking towards immigrants to help with the workforce, my dad was an unskilled labourer, so we took that leap, stayed in a refugee camp for a while then got a house.
“I had a father who, like every little boy, I just wanted to get close to, but he was working all the time.
“The only thing he kept inside of him from the old country was his love of football. AEK Athens was his team, I was born a couple of kilometres from the stadium.
“He loved football and, growing up, that was my connection. Our local team was Greek, an immigrant team, and we went there on Sundays and could speak Greek, he felt comfortable for two hours.
“I loved that, what it did to him as a person and I wanted to get close to that. We would sit up late and watch the games, mostly from England. Match of the Day was our two-hour fix. It was week-old footage but that’s where it started.”
As a footballer, Postecoglou played for South Melbourne Hellas and won four caps for Australia
“I was a battler, I was a full-back who hated defending. I think my dad knew, and that probably caused friction between us, because he dreamed of me reaching the top of the game and I knew that wasn’t going to happen.
“Maybe that held me back a bit because I put that limitation on myself. I had a couple of opportunities to play in Greece, and I got a knee injury and that was it really. But everything I did was really a precursor to becoming a coach.”
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On inspiration from Puskas and Liverpool…
“Even as a player I was really curious, asking every manager about the game, why they made the decisions. Even today I want to know why, why, why? I was made captain of a club aged 22, so there was obviously a leadership skill there I wasn’t really aware of.
“I always wanted to be a manager. I loved the game. I loved all of it, not just playing. I would get three-month-old Shoot magazines, Roy of the Rovers. I would read everything. I was a massive Liverpool fan, I loved Bill Shankly, I loved the boot room stories.
“I am comfortable walking into a room and talking to footballers. I am not comfortable going into a social setting and having small talk, but put me in a room with footballers and I am more than comfortable in that space.
“Some of it [his football philosophy] was dad. The teams you loved to watch, 1974 it was all about Holland, it was always the teams who excited. Even Liverpool in the 70s with the whole possession stuff. He always tracked me down that road.
“My dad didn’t like watching Italian football at times, that influenced me and I got attracted into these teams, those players. In the bizarre world I have grown up in, I ended up with one of the greatest footballers of all time, in Ferenc Puskas, being my manager [at South Melbourne]. He just didn’t like defending at all.
“His attitude was they score four, we score five. We are talking late 1980s where it was 4-4-2 everywhere. He wanted to play wingers and he didn’t ever want our wingers to come [back] past the halfway line.
“Now, I was a full-back who hated defending. We ended up winning the league. Our strikers got bags of goals, it stirred something inside me and I thought why not? Why not just go for it? Why not play the football everyone wants to play and just score goals, don’t worry about conceding.”
On only being ‘discovered’ since moving to Europe…
Postecoglou managed several Australian and Greek sides before taking charge of the Australia national team and Japanese side Yokohama F Marinos
“People have only discovered me in the last couple of years, where I have had 25 years of being fairly successful.
“I didn’t understand it, I used to come over here five, six years ago – I was national team boss and people would introduce me to so and so. And it was like going to those Hollywood auditions and being rejected, they just didn’t know who I was.
“It was so depressing, I’d been working for 25 years. I never thought I would get here to be honest, not because of my ability, just because no one was looking this way.
“Japan is an unbelievable country. I loved my time there. With the language taken away as a tool, which I like to use, it really challenged me as a manager and it worked.
“I had success and that really added to my belief. I thought wherever I end up next, I conquered that and I will have my language back and will feel more comfortable.
“That gave me maybe a bit more credibility. I was also part of the City Football Group, which exposed me to this part of the world. People kept telling me, ‘you are better off being sacked three times in Europe than being successful this side of the world’.”
Postecoglou left Japan for Celtic in 2021 and after two years in Scotland became Spurs boss this summer
“I think in both jobs, no one would say it, but I was last man standing. They ended up being rejected by a fair few and I ended up being the last one left. That’s OK, I’ll take that.
“I have to thank Eddie Howe [for the Celtic job]. I think that was pretty much done and then for whatever reason, Eddie didn’t feel comfortable in taking the role. That had gone so far down the path in pre-season that they had to make a quick decision.
“I think I was on their list, I had a quick discussion with a couple of the key decision makers and they saw something in me.
“I was looking forward to it because it was the bit that had been missing. I’d had success, I knew I could do the job, but I hadn’t had it in a place that I knew it would be impactful, meaningful.
“I knew if I had success at Celtic it would mean something, if only because I knew what it meant to the supporters.
“If nothing else, I knew I would have an impact in Glasgow.”
On the ‘stumbles’ Spurs will have playing attacking football…
Postecoglou’s attacking approach is a contrast to some of the football seen under Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte
“I felt the club was ready for that, they were seeking a change. There was no point appointing me otherwise. In the discussions we had, I told them this is what I was going to do and I wasn’t going to compromise that.
“It is going to be scary, not always smooth. I think there was a willingness from the club, I think that is the space they are most comfortable with and that suits me. It is challenging but I love that.
“It is easy for me to talk about these things, that we are going to play out from the back, be expansive. It leaves you vulnerable. All I could tell the players was ‘if it doesn’t work, it’s on me’. Don’t play with any fear, go and play.
“I have really enjoyed how they have embraced that. It hasn’t been tested yet, and it will get tested, we will have stumbles along the way for sure, but I am really pleased how they have taken on the way we are going to play.”
On ‘moving on’ after Kane and not showing ‘desperation’ for a trophy…
Weeks after Postecoglou’s arrival, Spurs’ all-time top scorer Harry Kane left for Bayern Munich.
“Harry was brilliant throughout. Half of me was gutted because you want to work with the best players and he is a hell of a striker and I thought he could help me. I got a sense he was at the stage of his career where he wanted another challenge and you can understand that. I was planning [for playing] without him.
“He has left an indelible mark at this football club, will go down as one of the greats and we need to move on. Football clubs move on.”
Tottenham, meanwhile, are bidding for a first trophy since the 2008 League Cup
“It can’t just be a desperation for just a trophy. This club is more than that. I don’t see this as a club where just a trophy is enough. I know why there is a such a desperation because there has been such a long drought but it is not what I want to build.
“I want to build a club where every year we are fighting for trophies.
“I have always made decisions against the backdrop I will be here forever, knowing full well I won’t be.
“There is always going to be this clock ticking against your tenure and if you let that drive you, you will go mad. I have never seen it work. I have always looked at it thinking ‘I will be here for 10 years’ and I have never been anywhere more than three years.”
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Argentina beat Colombia to win a record 16th Copa America but the game was marred by the kick-off being delayed by 80 minutes because of trouble outside the ground in Miami.
Lautaro Martinez struck in the second half of extra time from Giovani lo Celso’s through ball to secure the win.
Captain Lionel Messi was left in tears when he had to be replaced midway through the second half after injuring himself while chasing for the ball – but was celebrating his country’s third successive major tournament at the final whistle.
Kick-off was delayed because of chaos outside the Hard Rock Stadium.
Organisers said ticketless fans tried to get into the ground, leaving some fans waiting for hours in the Miami heat for the gates to open.
Fans and police officers and security clashed with several arrests made. Several supporters needed treatment from paramedics.
On top of that the half-time break lasted for 25 minutes because of a concert by Colombian popstar Shakira on the pitch, a move that was criticised by Colombia boss Nestor Lorenzo beforehand.
It was a game of few clear chances in hot, humid conditions, with Colombia’s Jhon Cordoba hitting the woodwork in the first half.
Argentina thought they had taken the lead with 15 minutes to go but Nicolas Tagliafico’s effort was ruled out for offside.
Martinez would end up as the hero – and win the Golden Boot with five goals.
What now for Messi after Copa America glory?
Lionel Messi went off injured in the second half
Messi had never won a senior international tournament until the age of 34 and now he has won three in three years after the 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup.
The final was played at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami – which is just over 20 miles from the city of Fort Lauderdale, where Messi’s Inter Miami club play.
The 37-year-old said before this tournament he had yet to make a decision on whether he will play on for his country until the next World Cup, which is also in the US – as well as Canada and Mexico.
His powers seem to be waning and his only goal of the tournament came in the semi-final win over Canada. He missed a penalty in the quarter-final shootout against Ecuador.
In this game he was hurt by a tackle in the first half and hobbled off in the second period, holding an ice pack on his ankle on the bench.
Is this his final major tournament appearance of a legendary career?
It was certainly the final appearance of Angel di Maria’s international career. The 145-times capped player had already announced he would retire from the international stage after this.
Trouble before the game
There were problems getting fans into the ground for kick-off
The delays before the game were more bad news for organisers – with the Hard Rock Stadium due to host games at the 2026 World Cup.
In the semi-finals in Charlotte, Uruguay players clashed with Colombia fans after the final whistle – because they were worried about the safety of their families.
Players’ families were affected too in Miami.
Roberto Garnacho, brother of Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho, wrote on social media: “What a shame CONMEBOL, the families not being able to enter the stadium, unbelievable.
“We were with [Argentina defender Marcos Acuna’s] family outside, getting away from the fights… Argentina’s security had to come get us, children of players crying, people entering without tickets.”
Colombia’s wait goes on
Colombia had been unbeaten in 28 games, a run stretching over two years going back to a World Cup qualifier against Argentina.
But their only Copa America triumph remains the 2001 success in their home country.
They had chances against the Argentines, most notably when Cordoba hit the post early on with a hooked volley.
Writtes /BBC/
Reports /Trainviral/
I know from my own experiences as a Liverpool player that, when you are losing at Anfield then equalise straight after half-time, it does more than give you momentum – it can change the whole feel of a game.
That is what exactly what happened in Sunday’s draw with Manchester City. As soon as Alexis Mac Allister’s spot-kick made it it 1-1, Liverpool put on a real powerhouse performance and they looked like they would go on to win.
Their work ethic, tenacity and intensity in the second half was incredible and It was Darwin Nunez who helped instigate that, firstly by winning the penalty for their equaliser.
Yes, it was a mistake by Nathan Ake, whose poor backpass let him in, but Nunez was switched on and ready for it – and he did not stop there.
Lots of Liverpool players did well after the break but Nunez was the one who really made the difference when they were on top. Like so many other teams this season, City struggled to cope with his physicality and all-round play.
I really do believe his display was as good as any I’ve seen from him since he joined Liverpool in the summer of 2022, which is a strange thing to say about a striker who didn’t score.
I loved his energy and his willingness to run without the ball, hassling City’s backline and stretching their defence, but he also showed great quality with it too. He slipped Luis Diaz in for one of his big chances and was involved in almost all of them in some way.
Nunez was unselfish with so much of his play but he was also unlucky not to get a goal himself when he got a toe to Andy Robertson’s cross. City keeper Stefan Ortega made a great save and, on another day, that goes in.
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‘Van Dijk is the one player Liverpool cannot afford to lose’
You don’t get anything against City without defending well too, and I was also really impressed by that side of Liverpool’s performance.
I expect a lot of Reds fans were nervous when they saw the teamsheet before the game, because out of their first-choice back five – including goalkeeper Alisson – only Virgil van Dijk faced the defending champions.
Ibrahima Konate’s injury this week meant the whole right side of Liverpool’s defence was very young, with Jarell Quansah next to Conor Bradley. Jurgen Klopp again showed his faith in the kids by playing them, and they both did really well in what was arguably the biggest game of their careers.
It was another example of the brilliant togetherness and belief that has got Liverpool so far this season, and kept them in this title race, and in with a chance of winning four competitions despite being affected by so many injuries.
By that I mean, when the chips are down and some big players are not around for the big games, they do not falter or feel sorry for themselves.
They also don’t sit back, whoever they are playing. One of the big strengths of this team is they don’t change they way they play even when some star names are missing – and still look to play on the front foot.
At the heart of it all, though, is Van Dijk. Some of his passing against City was phenomenal, as always, but on top of that, his last-ditch defending was outstanding.
There was the one-on-one with Erling Haaland where he stayed calm and in control, a crucial far-post header from a Bernardo Silva cross and an important block to deny Phil Foden.
It was a monumental performance, exactly when it was needed, by a guy who was surrounded by several players who had not played in an occasion like this before, and one that some people viewed as a title decider.
Van Dijk has been terrific all season, of course, but this particular game showed the importance of his presence.
Konate could miss a couple of games and Liverpool will be fine. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Robertson have been out for several weeks already, and the biggest compliment I can pay to Caoimhin Kelleher is that he never looks like a back-up goalkeeper when he replaces Alisson.
Klopp has also got the numbers to rotate in midfield and all the front players have had injuries at some point this season. But, at the moment, Van Dijk is the one player they cannot afford to lose.
That’s how important he is to their title hopes, and where their whole season goes from here.
Why the run-in will be a rollercoaster ride
Sunday’s game was a brilliant watch, with such quality on show from both sides.
If Diaz had taken one of his chances then, with the Anfield crowd and the momentum Liverpool had at that stage, I feel like they would have probably seen City off.
Credit to City, though, because they hung in there and had a couple of excellent chances in the second half themselves.
Jeremy Doku hit the post after Kelleher had denied Phil Foden at a really crucial time and, for all the opportunities Liverpool created, they could still have been beaten.
When the dust settles, I think they will be content with the result – they have now played and drawn with City twice in the Premier League, and they are still a point ahead of them with 10 games to go.
Liverpool could soon be in an even stronger position, because City play Arsenal in their next league game, on 31 March. At least one of their title rivals will drop points then, but it would be naïve to think that game will decide anything.
We have got three brilliant teams in this title race, who have all got great strength in depth. But I am not convinced any of them will go on from here and win every game in the run-in, which Liverpool and City have both done in previous seasons, because they have all appeared a bit vulnerable at times.
Look at Arsenal – they have been on this amazing goalscoring run but they still needed Aaron Ramsdale to make a couple of great saves in their win over Brentford on Saturday, and had to wait to score a late winner.
There were some nerves involved in their performance, inevitably, and there are plenty more of those to come.
The one team you would not expect to suffer in that way, emotionally, are City because of what they have been doing for so many seasons now. But I still expect it to be a rollercoaster ride for all three teams and it would not surprise me if they are all still involved with a couple of games to go.
It is going to be fascinating to watch it unfold, whoever you support. Even if you have a fondness for one of the teams, every football fan loves watching close competition with jeopardy involved.
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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said after Sunday’s Manchester derby that midfielder Phil Foden was the “best player in the Premier League right now”.
And Foden has a strong case for that accolade, having scored six goals and provided an assist in his past seven league games.
Using the past 10 rounds of Premier League matches, BBC Sport look at who might currently be its ‘best’ player.
Phil Foden (Manchester City)
Foden scored twice in a 3-1 win over Manchester United on Sunday as City stayed firmly in the hunt for the title.
The 23-year-old has scored 11 Premier League goals this season and assisted seven – putting him joint-eighth in the rankings for those categories.
Guardiola: “What can I say? He is the best player in the Premier League right now for the amount of things he does. Unbelievable.”
BBC Radio 5 Live commentator John Murray: “If England were playing their first match at the Euros later today, I think you would expect to see Bukayo Saka on the right, probably Phil Foden on the left, Harry Kane through the middle and Jude Bellingham in the number 10 position.”
Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Haaland tops the Premier League goalscoring charts on 18 – two clear of everyone else. That is despite missing five matches so far this season.
Having featured in City’s past seven games since returning from injury, Haaland has scored four league goals and set one up in that time, as well as hitting five goals in an FA Cup fifth-round victory at Luton Town.
Guardiola: “With top scorers or strikers who score a lot of goals, don’t criticise because he will shut your mouth, that’s for sure.”
Former City midfielder Michael Brown: “He’s got that power, he’s got that dedication. That hunger to finish. We’ve seen him mix up his goals. It’s difficult to just not let him do what he does.”
Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)
City midfielder De Bruyne has been in superb form since returning from a hamstring injury which meant he missed the first five months of the season.
He has scored once and claimed four assists in seven league games, despite only starting four of them. He also got four assists in the FA Cup win at Luton.
Guardiola: “He is a special player. He is a legend.”
Former City defender Micah Richards: “We talk about lots of players being world class but Kevin is different. He always seems to gauge exactly what the game needs – and he delivers, all the time.”
Rodri (Manchester City)
Rodri has always been capable of producing big moments when it matters – and the midfielder is on a 59-match unbeaten run in City colours.
Naturally a defensive midfielder, he has added more going forward of late, with three goals and three assists in his past 10 league games.
Guardiola: “He’s the best midfield player in the world currently by far because he is able to do everything.”
Luton Town captain Tom Lockyer: “It’s just a joy to share a football pitch with him. You don’t say that about a lot of players.”
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Liverpool captain Van Dijk has been one of the few mainstays in a title-challenging Liverpool side blighted by injuries.
In the Reds’ past 10 league games, Van Dijk has scored once, helped keep three clean sheets and also scored the winning goal in last month’s Carabao Cup final against Chelsea.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp: “Virgil van Dijk, from the first day since he stepped into Liverpool FC, is absolutely outstanding.”
BBC Sport journalist Luke Reddy: “Van Dijk has been a ‘colossus’ in recent weeks.”
Darwin Nunez (Liverpool)
Uruguayan striker Nunez has been in fine form for the Reds of late, and scored the last-gasp winner at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
In Liverpool’s past 10 league games, Nunez has played nine, scoring six goals and getting an assist.
Liverpool assistant manager Pep Ljinders: “Each game, he can create six chances just by himself.”
BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty: “I think Nunez has loads of ability and his stats alone tell you what an impact he has on games. Not one goes by where he does not have influence of some sort.”
Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Since a British-record transfer to Arsenal in the summer, England midfielder Rice has been a key part of the Gunners’ title challenge this season.
Despite his defensive responsibilities, he has scored once and provided four assists in the Gunners’ past 10 league games.
Former Manchester City midfielder Michael Brown: “Declan Rice can do every bit of being an all-round midfielder.”
BBC Sport football reporter Simon Stone: “I am a huge Declan Rice fan and he could turn out to be the difference between Arsenal fading away in the title race, as they did last season, and really going for it.
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
A strong contender for the Premier League’s most in-form player is England winger Saka.
In his past 10 league outings, Saka has scored eight goals, including two apiece against West Ham and Burnley, and added an assist.
BBC Sport football reporter Simon Stone: “[The best player in the league] is between four – Haaland, De Bruyne, Salah and Saka. Whoever wins the title is the best.”
Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin: “There were plenty of players who caught the eye in Arsenal’s win at Turf Moor, but Bukayo Saka being back close to his best was as important as anything else.”
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
Watkins is a player who can go under the radar but is certainly a contender. He is ranked top for direct goal involvements and joint-top for assists this season.
In Villa’s past 10 league games, he has seven goals, four assists and is the only player to pass into double figures in both categories this season.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery: “His commitment is brilliant and the consequence is this when he works hard every day.”
Former Newcastle and England striker Alan Shearer: “He’s having the season of his life. The form he is in, he is not hoping to score, but expecting to score.”
Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
One of the few bright sparks for Chelsea this season has been midfielder Palmer. He has scored four times and provided the same number of assists in the Blues’ past 10 Premier League matches.
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino: “He is an important player for us. He is a decisive player. I am so pleased with him.”
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola: “It is not just goals and assists, it is the quality. He is an incredible threat for Chelsea.”
Jarrod Bowen (West Ham)
West Ham winger Bowen is having his best ever Premier League scoring season. having netted 14 times so far.
In the Hammers’ past 10 league matches, Bowen has scored five goals and provided two assists – including his first career hat-trick against Brentford.
West Ham United manager David Moyes: “Some of his performances recently have gone unnoticed because we haven’t won.”
Former Manchester United and England midfielder Paul Scholes to TNT Sports: “You can see Real Madrid, Man City, Arsenal all wanting him. He is a unit and reminds me a bit of Eric Cantona.”
Alphonse Areola (West Ham)
A left-field shout, but from a numbers perspective it is hard to ignore Areola.
In the past 10 games, he’s kept three clean sheets and averaged 5.8 saves per game. He also has the highest save percentage in the Premier League, has made more than 100 saves, conceded four fewer goals than his expected goals against tally suggests he should have, and is the only goalkeeper to save multiple penalties so far this season.
West Ham manager David Moyes: “Our goalkeeper played brilliantly well. He made several saves today that probably stopped Everton getting a result.”
And the rest…
Among those to narrowly miss out are forwards Diogo Jota (Liverpool), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) and Rasmus Hojlund (Manchester United) – all overlooked because of recent injury issues.
Honourable mentions also go to John Stones (Manchester City), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Ross Barkley (Luton Town), Rodrigo Muniz (Fulham), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool) and Heung-min Son (Tottenham Hotspur).
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