EX-BLADE MONTY: HOW ANGE INSPIRED ME TO PULL OFF GOLIATH OF ALL WINS
BY ROSS HEPPENSTALL ANGE POSTECOGLOU’S astonishing journey from the A-league to the Premier League is inspiring many managers across the globe.
Ex-sheffield United midfielder Nick Montgomery is writing his own amazing story Down Under – and has one eye on following in Postecoglou’s footsteps.
The 41-year-old Yorkshireman has just guided his youthful, low-spending Central Coast Mariners side to title glory, thumping Melbourne City 6-1 in last week’s Grand Final. Montgomery says that’s an achievement on the level of “Luton Town beating Manchester City” to the Premier League crown.
His former Blades boss Neil Warnock, and the new Tottenham manager Postecoglou, were among many texting their congratulations.
Montgomery, who took over the Mariners at the start of last season, said: “I had a text from Ange after the Grand Final, saying, ‘It’s a wonderful achievement, you should be really proud’. “Ange had great success at Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory. At the time they were two of the biggest clubs, with a good budget and marquee players. “For me, an Englishman from Leeds, to win the league with a club which has never had a marquee player – and with the youngest team and smallest budget – is unbelievable. It was like Luton Town beating Manchester City in a one-off title decider, and will go down as one of the greatest sporting achievements by any Australian team.”
And Montgomery added: “Ange is an inspiration. He’s a top manager and what he did at Celtic was amazing. He proved all the doubters wrong.
“He will go well at Tottenham and transform the club. He won’t whinge about things and have a go at the owner.
“I’m confident Ange will turn Tottenham around in the next season or two.”