Ange Postecoglou has done it again.
Tottenham’s Aussie manager has once more endeared himself to both Spurs and football fans across the world after he fronted a fan forum during the week.
Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. Join now and start streaming instantly >
Postecoglou faced questioning from fans but as the MC Nihal Arthanayake was winding it up, the Aussie ensured one more enthusiastic fan got his question on the record.
Owen, a Spurs supporter with Down syndrome, had been waiting patiently throughout the Q&A with his hand up and Postecoglou made sure he had his voice heard.
“Hang on, one more question, this young man down the front. He’s got the best question — come on,” Postecoglou said.
Arthanayake said: “Sorry my apologies.”
Postecoglou: “That’s alright. Your question, I saw you. There you go, come on mate.”
Owen began: “I’ve got a question for Ange …”
“I knew it was for me,” Postecoglou replied.
Owen continued: “How much are you going to win, Ange, this whole season?”
“Good man,” Postecoglou said. “We will do our best. Everyone involved at the football club … we understand what this team means to all you folk about this football club, what it means to all of you. Our role is try and make you happy and proud every time we go out there. So that’s what we will try and do.”
While it wasn’t a flashy moment, it was an act of kindness from a first year Premier League coach that has once again won over fans.
The KEEPUP account, who originally posted the video wrote: “One of the most heartwarming videos you will see today.
“Ange Postecoglou went out of his way at a @SpursOfficial fan Q&A session to make sure a young fan got to ask his question.
“An incredible manager, but an even better person.”
Popular football social media user and podcaster HLTCO posted the video, writing: “Well, this is just superb on every level.”
Another fan wrote: “Just the most respect for him. Wow man: wow.”
Another added: “P**sing me off how likeable he is.”
Another supporter commented: “Spurs have a gem here and he seems to have transformed the mood of the club and the connection with the fans from the minute he walked through the door, top bloke.”
“This is absolutely superb. The nicest bloke in football right now,” wrote another observer.
Even Owen, who was able to get some photos with Postecoglou after the session posted: “Best day ever, according to Owen. I’m not going to argue!”
She later replied to a comment: “Owen is the happiest man alive right now.”
She added to another who said it was a “class” move from Postecoglou to make sure Owen got his question out: “I know, totally didn’t see that coming, then Owen got a little tongue tied over his question in the excitement. Ange is so lovely!”
While Tottenham fans are now happy they landed the Aussie as the side sits second on the Premier League ladder after five games, before he arrived at the club, some of the supporter base protested his signing as the #NoToPostecoglou trend began on Twitter, along with the phrase: “We deserve better”.
It’s safe to say if there are any who still felt that way, they’re very much in the minority.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, who was also on stage at the forum, said he was pleased with Postecoglou’s start at the club, adding the team made the right call not going for the biggest name manager they could.
It comes after the side had somewhat troubled stints under Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.
“It was very easy because Ange I would say is just a normal bloke and it was wonderful to be able to have a conversation with him where we could talk about anything and he was very direct and honest,” Levy said.
“I like someone who just tells me as it is, no one who plays games, no one who says one thing to me and then one thing to someone else. This club needed to go back to its roots.
“Honestly, there was a lot of pressure on me to bring in somebody that was a big name. I just wanted somebody who understood our DNA, would play attacking football, that would give young players a chance, believe in the academy, would build a relationship with the fans and understand the resources that we have and don’t have as a club and be part of a team.
“Ange, I have to say, is a breath of fresh air.”
Discussion about this post