Ange Postecoglou is among Australia’s most recognisable soccer figures and a freshly published ranking speaks to this.

The Greek Australian coach who grew up in South Melbourne Hellas’ youth ranks and played for the team from juniors to seniors in his early career years, has claimed a top spot in the list of ’52 News Makers of 2023′ published by The Age.

He came second only to the Matildas who were credited for having reshaped perceptions of sport in the country, following their FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-final game against England becoming the most watched TV event of any type in the country in more than two decades.

Postecoglou, the masthead’s list notes, “made history in June when he was appointed manager at Tottenham Hotspur, becoming the first Australian to lead a team in the English Premier League, the biggest in world football.”

“Australian managers don’t manage in the English Premier League (EPL); it happened when Ange did it,” Peter Kokotis explains the significance of this development in a recent opinion piece published in Neos Kosmos.

“Their passports hold a massive disadvantage in European football’s caste system. Our football is not rated in the upper echelons of the biggest and wealthiest leagues in the world.”

During his career as a player, Ange played close to 200 NSL games, won two NSL Championships (one as a Captain), and represented his country four times.

Over the years he has served as a Socceroos, Celtic, Yokohama F. Marinos, Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar manager.

“He has been successful at every level he’s coached at,” The Age writes.

The ’52 NEWS MAKERS OF 2023′ list aims to introduce “the people who rocked Australia this year – for better or worse.”