Ange Postecoglou: Adapting to Tottenham’s Squad and Backing Harry Kane to Score ‘Bags of Goals’
Australian coach Ange Postecoglou has revealed he is not wedded to any set formation and will adapt to the profile of his new Tottenham squad. He has also backed Harry Kane to score ‘bags of goals’ next season.
Postecoglou, who has generally played with an attack-minded 4-3-3 formation during his career, is confident that will not be a problem and is willing to tinker with his line-up to suit the squad he has inherited. He believes that rigid positional play of his predecessor will be replaced by more fluid, interchanging football.
“I think if you look at my career I’ve sort of played different formations. A lot of that depends on the players you have at your disposal,” he said in a Q&A with supporters. “I’ve got to the space in terms of football where I just think that kind of set formations are just… not a thing of the past, but there’s such fluidity in football these days – especially at the highest level, we’re talking Premier League – you really need players who are able to perform multiple functions and roles within the side. For the most part I’ve kind of played a 4-3-3 but you couldn’t probably pinpoint many moments in the game where that actual exists. It’s more about movement and space. For me the key thing will be to have a real good look at the playing group and see what strengths they have and then come up with a formation that will bring the best out of them.”
Tottenham have already strengthened significantly since Postecoglou took charge, bringing in goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario from Empoli and James Maddison from Leicester, while they are also working on deals for Manor Solomon and Micky van de Ven.
Postecoglou is clearly planning for next season with Kane in his team, saying: “Look, hopefully Harry and Sonny [Heung-min] score bags of goals – and they’re not the only ones. It’s still the bit I love about the game the most. There’s no such thing as an ugly goal, every time the ball crosses the line the emotion that brings to people I love. It’s still the best part of the game for me. However goals go in, just the joy that it brings – it unites people, unites strangers, it doesn’t matter who you’re standing next to, when the ball crosses that line that’s who you’re hugging. So hopefully the boys [Kane and Son] score bags of goals, but they’re not the only ones.”
Postecoglou is confident that he can get the best out of his new squad and is looking forward to seeing them in action next season. He believes that his style of play will bring out the best in his players and will be a joy to watch. With Kane leading the line, Spurs fans will be hoping for plenty of goals and plenty of success under their new coach.