A number of media publications did not take too kindly with Ange Postecoglou speaking his mind regarding Australia’s performances in Russia. More specifically, after the current Yokohama Marinos manager spoke to the Players Voice and pointed out that the team has returned to being “the underdog” and opting for more “defensive stability”, rather than choosing to be play more offensively like he tried to do during his tenure, Postecoglou received backlash from several media outlets.
Firstly, The Age’s Michael Lynch wondered if there really was progress under Postecoglou and how the Socceroos would have fared should he have been on the bench, pointing out that his style of play would’ve left the team more open to attacks from other teams, and thus even greater defeats. It was also noted that Van Marwijk’s pragmatism may have been the factor that allowed Australia to stay alive in the competition until the last day of the group stage, despite France’s draw with Denmark.
However, Ange “copped it” the worst from The Weekend Australian’s Patrick Smith who began his article with the suggestion for Postecoglou to “Shut up! Go away. Disappear”. He continued his rampage on the Greek Australian coach by emphasising that “France will now play Argentina in the round of 16 and presumably Postecoglou will leave the Greek islands where he has been holidaying”.
His criticism on the Players Voice article was also quite harsh, as it was stated that “Only Royal Melbourne has more holes than Postecoglou’s article”, and his style of play and results were heavily criticised.
“Like why was our way to Russia so laboured and uninspired? Why did a man apparently so committed to the philosophy of attack, attack, attack retreat from the job so limply?”
Finally, Smith explained why in his opinion, Postecoglou shouldn’t be speaking about the Australian national team: “No, as good and as personable as Ange could be, he needs to move on. He has lost the right to comment on Australia. Ange wasn’t half as good as we thought he was”.
