Revolutionizing Spurs: Ange Postecoglou's Game-Changing Plan for Harry Kane, Transfers, and Tactical Transformation

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Tottenham's new head coach, Ange Postecoglou, officially commenced his role on Saturday. However, he has been diligently preparing behind the scenes for almost a month prior.

Since his appointment was announced on June 6, the Australian has been meticulously strategizing for what seems to be a monumental task, as Spurs confront the absence of European football for the first time since 2010.

We News reporter Michael Bridge analyses the key tasks ahead of Postecoglou's first season in north London.

What's Ange walking into?

The challenge that awaits Postecoglou at Spurs is well-documented.

After Antonio Conte's rant at Southampton, Spurs fans have endured a miserable few months. Despite Tottenham holding the fourth position before Conte's departure, it often seemed like a false position due to other clubs having games in hand.

It was a mistake to retain Conte's backroom staff under the leadership of Cristian Stellini. Ryan Mason took over for the remaining games, experiencing both successes and failures. However, ultimately, the fans eagerly anticipated the end of the season. Considering the absence of European football in the upcoming season, this seems like the ideal moment for a comprehensive overhaul, including changes in the managerial and playing personnel.

Winning over the fans

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Postecoglou must endear himself to the Spurs faithful early on

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Unless you support Tottenham and live in Australia, it's unlikely that you would find many fans who had Postecoglou as their first choice at the beginning of the manager search. Despite the majority of fans urging for the return of Mauricio Pochettino, with his name even being sung during home games in March and April, his comeback was never on the table.

The club's unexpected denial of targeting Julian Nagelsmann left many surprised, and the renewal of Arne Slot's contract at Feyenoord raised concerns that Tottenham was repeating the mistakes of 2021 with the appointment of Nuno Espirito Santo. However, this summer brings a distinctively different feeling. Primarily, Tottenham had to patiently acknowledge and honor Postecoglou's involvement in the Scottish Cup final and his achievement of a domestic treble.

Spurs underwent changes at the board level following Fabio Paratici's departure. Scott Munn, the new Chief Football Officer at Tottenham, joined on July 1 and is an avid admirer of his fellow Australian, Postecoglou.

Despite the increasing competitiveness of the Premier League, some fans may still harbor skepticism towards the 57-year-old's decision to make such a leap.

Content: The Celtic fan base, consisting of a significant number of supporters, strongly believes that Tottenham fans have not fully comprehended the value of having Postecoglou as their new manager. Furthermore, they are particularly enthused by his philosophy on fast attacking football.

In contrast to Tottenham's previous prestigious managers, such as Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, who seemed to view their presence at the club as a favor, this does not appear to be the case with Postecoglou.

Conte showed minimal to no interest in extending his contract, resulting in weeks of ambiguity. As a regular attendee of Conte's press conferences, each reporter was granted the opportunity to ask two questions. In exchange, Conte would provide thorough and thoughtful answers. However, his response of "I'll discuss with the chairman after the season concludes" seemed entirely implausible, and unfortunately, it turned out to be true.

If Postecoglou is able to provide the supporters with a glimpse of his overarching vision in the inaugural home match against Manchester United, it has the potential to significantly contribute to earning their trust. The fans earnestly desire to relish attending matches once more.

Who does he want to keep and let go?

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Harry Winks, a product of Tottenham, has made a move to Leicester.

Contrary to other reports, Postecoglou is willing to offer every member of the squad a chance to make an impression. Those who fail to adapt to his playing style will quickly be deemed unnecessary.

A significant number of players will depart from the club in the upcoming months. Additionally, there are a select few, including club captain Hugo Lloris, who have expressed their desire for a fresh challenge after serving 11 years at Tottenham.

Postecoglou has already approved the permanent acquisition of Dejan Kulusevski, and the Swedish international eagerly anticipates the opportunity to play under the new head coach.

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In addition, there are several players who are returning from loans: Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso, Sergio Reguilon, Bryan Gil, Joe Rodon, and Djed Spence. Since there will be no European football, Postecoglou will have to make tough decisions, as he has done successfully in most of his previous clubs. As a result, it is highly unlikely that the entire bloated squad of Tottenham will travel to Australia for their pre-season match against West Ham. This match will provide a clearer indication of which players have a future at the club.

Tottenham's last season was characterized by an unfortunate number of 63 league goals conceded, which can be considered quite embarrassing. As the club's desire to bolster their defensive options grows, the futures of Davinson Sanchez and Japhet Tanganga will undoubtedly be a topic of discussion. On the other hand, Eric Dier has made it clear that he is determined to compete for his place in the team under Postecoglou's management.

Does he want any of the Celtic players?

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Kyogo Furuhashi cwas brough to Celtic by Postecoglou

My understanding is that's currently not on the agenda.

Postecoglou's expertise in the Asian market proved vital in Celtic's extraordinary inaugural season under the Australian manager, surpassing their competition effortlessly.

Kyogo, Reo Hatate, and Jota, three of his exceptionally successful recruits, will undoubtedly feel disheartened by his departure. They all possess the potential to excel at a higher level, though the question remains whether they possess the necessary skill set for Tottenham.

One you can now rule out is Jota, as he looks set to move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad.

Implementing his own playing style

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Postecoglou takes over a challenging situation following tough periods under the management of Antonio Conte, Nuno Espirito Santo, and Jose Mourinho. Many Celtic supporters have expressed that Tottenham fans can look forward to an exciting style of play under Postecoglou, but it will require some patience as it will take time to come together.

The current situation at Spurs is a complete turnaround from what supporters have experienced in recent years. Spurs fans have not witnessed a short-passing game that dominates possession for quite some time.

Although it has only been a few days, the difference in training methods at Spurs is noticeable through the social media clips that have been posted.

Celtic dominated a vast majority of their matches; the big question is can Postecoglou transfer this to the Premier League, and this Spurs side?

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Postecoglou has a job on his hands moulding Spurs into his own vision

Postecoglou employs a 4-3-3 formation for his teams. Spurs, in recent seasons, have utilized three central defenders and wing-backs on both sides. The pressing concern now lies in evaluating whether Tottenham's wing-backs possess the necessary attributes to adjust to Ange's back four.

Frequently, he employs an inverted full-back, typically the left-back, to bolster the presence in the midfield, thereby forcing the opposing winger to occupy the central area. This strategic move grants the winger a favorable one-on-one opportunity against the opposing full-back.

Tottenham's left-hand side is expected to feature Son, who recently disclosed that he played most of the last season while dealing with a hernia issue.

Additionally, Postecoglou prefers his wingers to have an inverted style, enabling them to make inward cuts and take shots. Hence, it comes as no surprise that he approved the signing of Kulusevski, a right winger with a left foot, to accompany Son, who is right-footed but plays on the left.

Midfielders are responsible for their creativity and dictating the tempo of the game, frequently advancing towards the opposing defense. The acquisition of James Maddison has significantly enhanced the team's quality, particularly in the No 8 position.

Unfortunately, the absence of Rodrigo Bentancur due to a severe injury last season is a setback, as he appears to be an ideal fit for this system. Although a return in October is anticipated, no specific date has been confirmed.

It will be fascinating to observe how Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg adapts to Postecoglou's system and if he meshes well within it.

We mustn't overlook Yves Bissouma, a standout player for Brighton in the 2021/2022 season, despite being plagued by a major injury in the previous season. He provided supporters with a glimpse of his exceptional skills on the season's final day during the match against Leeds.

Of course, it's important to note that Tottenham invested heavily in midfielders Ndombele and Lo Celso. Will they be able to make a strong impression on Ange during his initial weeks?

When it comes to strikers, Postecoglou prefers a technically skilled center forward who excels at connecting plays. Currently, he has the privilege of working with one of the most exceptional strikers in global football – Harry Kane. It is certainly an exciting prospect for him, as long as the England captain decides to remain at Tottenham for the summer.

Celtic netted a total of 114 league goals in 38 matches during the previous season, garnering praise from fans who coined the term "Angeball" to describe Postecoglou's successful style of play. It is evident that significant squad changes will occur, and those who have the courage to embrace and implement the new coach's principles will be retained.

Postecoglou's system has proven triumphant in Australia, Japan, and Scotland, resulting in multiple trophies. The question now arises: Will he be able to assemble the right players to ensure the success of "Angeball" at Tottenham Hotspur?

It's been a positive start recruitment-wise, but it must continue.

Why did Postecoglou want Maddison?

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James Maddison is already through the door at Spurs

As far as I understand it, there was a collective desire to sign Maddison. Spurs wanted him - and Postecoglou agreed that he'd be a great fit.

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The time had come for Spurs to make their move on Maddison. Having been monitoring him since his Coventry days, they were content to see him join Norwich and later Leicester.

Tottenham's strong interest in Maddison began last summer, although no progress was made at the time.

Securing him ahead of pre-season could prove to be crucial as the team has been longing for some creative spark in the midfield, which has been absent since the days of Christian Eriksen. Therefore, his signing not only brings a significant boost but also elates the fans who were thrilled by the announcement.

Any other targets?

While the possibility of further additions cannot be ruled out, the focus in the coming weeks will be on offloading several players to make room for new signings.

Spurs are prioritizing the recruitment of defenders. They are showing interest in Edmond Tapsoba from Bayer Leverkusen and Micky van de Ven from Wolfsburg. Both players possess excellent speed and have a strong command of the ball.

Additionally, Tottenham is considering the acquisition of Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo. There is also a possibility that Clement Lenglet, who had a loan spell at Spurs from Barcelona last season, could be signed on a permanent basis for a nominal fee.

Tottenham simply have to cut out the silly mistakes at the back - it was a catalyst for their extremely disappointing eighth-placed finish.

What's a good season for Tottenham?

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Postecoglou brings a winning mentality to Spurs

There's an acceptance from supporters this will be quite a rebuild. Errors in recruitment have caught up with Spurs.

European football will be absent for the first time in 13 years, creating an unusual atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium during midweeks. Nevertheless, this situation might actually present a hidden advantage as Postecoglou takes the opportunity to implement his squad's philosophy.

Despite the frustration it causes for teams like Newcastle and Aston Villa, Tottenham, often referred to as 'the Big 6', has consistently ranked near the top of the league table for almost 15 years. Additionally, they have managed to generate significant revenue, placing them among the top 10 clubs in global football. However, their lack of recent silverware is evident, despite their accomplishments.

For Tottenham, the challenge of winning a trophy is not a simple task, especially with Manchester City's commitment to excelling in domestic cup competitions.

Entertaining football, a top-six finish, and a genuine effort in both cups would constitute a commendable inaugural season under the guidance of the new head coach. Considering the presence of league competitors participating in European football and Tottenham's promising beginning to the summer transfer period, securing a place in the top-four cannot be dismissed, either.

Kane future

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Harry Kane has one year left on his deal and is being linked with a move away this summer

Tottenham selling Harry Kane is unthinkable.

Content: The majority of people outside the club believe that it is the right time for one of the top strikers in global football to join a Champions League club that can provide him with better prospects of winning a trophy. Although they may be correct, Daniel Levy is determined to ensure that Kane remains with the club for at least another season, until his contract expires.

Postecoglou faces a formidable task, which could become even more overwhelming if Tottenham's leading goal scorer leaves this summer. Reports circulated last week about Bayern Munich's initial offer of £60m, with additional incentives, for Kane.

Tottenham officials categorically denied the authenticity of these reports. In today's digital age, what truly constitutes an official bid? Perhaps someone ought to inspect the fax machine...

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Having scored an impressive 30 league goals last season despite playing for a lackluster team, Kane's achievement truly stands out among the best. Considering he only has one year remaining on his contract, he may be contemplating a move at this point. Reports from Germany indicate that he could be willing to explore opportunities there. Nevertheless, Spurs, along with Postecoglou, undoubtedly have alternate plans in mind.