It was in the year 2000 that Ange Postecoglou first encountered Manchester United, and 25 years later he is battling them again for the chance to be the first Greek and Australian coach to win European silverware.
The Greek Australian coach has the chance to add arguably the biggest accolade yet to his decorated career in a week’s time when his Tottenham side battles English giants Manchester United for the Europa League trophy.
The opponent could not be any more poetic for Postecoglou, who clashed with the Red Devils for the first time 25 years ago in Brazil.
Back then, Ange was managing South Melbourne Hellas, a team for which he played many years and also served as captain.
He achieved great success both as player and as coach, though nothing came close to the challenge of facing the legendary Manchester United at the famous Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
Hellas had earned the right to play them after qualifying for the inaugural edition of the FIFA Club World Championships as winners of the 1999 Oceania Club Championship.
Just this year, Postecoglou reflected on the game ahead of a similar David vs Goliath situation between his Tottenham team and fifth division side Tamworth in the FA Cup (which happened to be played on the same date as the Hellas-United game 25 years ago, 11 January).
“We were a semi-pro team playing against the great Manchester United, who had won a treble, at the Maracanã,” Postecoglou told media in a press conference before the game against Tamworth (which they ended up winning 0-3 in extra time).
Postecoglou noted Hellas’ domestic season suffered dramatically as a result of qualifying for the Club World Championships, with the squad not putting in as much effort in order to avoid injury and be able to feature in the game against United.
“They just didn’t want to miss out on playing,” he said.
Unsurprising, South Melbourne came out second best and lost the game 2-0 though Postecoglou highlighted their display was one to be proud of.
“On the day, some of my players, who were semi-pros but good footballers, probably played the best game of their lives.”
Unlike in 2000, Postecoglou will take on the English giants on a level playing field, with Tottenham and United even next to each other on the Premier League ladder.
It would not be hyperbolic to say all of Australia and Greece will be eagerly paying attention to the Europa League Final, with everyone (except maybe Man United fans) hoping Tottenham wins.
If they do, it would be Tottenham’s first trophy in 18 years, and their first European trophy in 41 years.
The game holds even more significance for Postecoglou who would become the first Greek and Aussie manager to ever win a European trophy.
Even in an accomplished career like Ange’s (winning 13 trophies at club level and the AFC Asian Cup with Australia in 2015), this would be probably stand out as the greatest achievement yet.
The stage is set for a grand finish, and all eyes are now on Ange and his Tottenham team to see if they will make history.
