Ange warns detractors 'we're not done yet' as Celtic hero speaks publicly for first time since Tottenham heartbreak

Daily Record

2 days ago

Postecoglou lost his job at Spurs despite delivering their first European trophy since 1984
Ange Postecoglou insists he is far from done with management after the Celtic hero was presented with a special award in his homeland of Greece.
Despite leading Tottenham to their first major trophy in 17 years with a Europa League triumph against Manchester United last season, the 59-year-old was given the sack by Daniel Levy due to their worrying Premier League performance, with Spurs finishing just one place above the relegation places.
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Postecoglou has since been replaced at the Tottenham Stadium by Brenford boss Thomas Frank and in turn was approached about potentially taking over from the Dane in West London in what would have been a bizarre managerial swap.
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Postecoglou was born in Nea Filadelfeia just outside the Greek capital of Athens but emigrated to Melbourne in Australia at the age of five in 1970, where he launched his career in football as a player and then more successfully as a manager.
The well-travelled Parkhead favourite was presented with a unique award after becoming the Greek to lift a European title and took the opportunity to pay an emotional tribute to his late father.
Speaking in his native tongue at an event to announce the fixtures for the new Super League season, the Greek-Aussie said:
"When I left Greece, my father and my mother, mostly my father, passed on the love they had for football to me.
"I grew up with the names. He supported AEK, Mimi Papaeoannou, Thomas Mavro and (Georgios) Delikaris.
"I hadn't seen all these players but I knew all these names as if I had seen them, because my father always told me about these stories.
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"Since I was little, I had the dream of one day reaching this level. Unfortunately as a player, this wasn't possible, I realised that early on.
"But as a coach, I tried with all the passion I had for football to make, especially my father, and my mother proud of the sacrifices they made which made them leave their own country, their family, for me and my sister to give us the opportunity to live our dreams.
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"And every day I think about that, the sacrifices he made.
"My father is not with me now but I know he sees me and is proud of what I have achieved so far. I always have my wife ad my children by my side.
"The goal is to continue, we're not done yet. I want to do all of Greece and Australia where I grew up, but especially Greece because I was born here, proud with all the things I hope will happen in the future.
"But it's a great honour to be here. I am low profile and don't talk too much but know that in my heart these moments remain very close to me. Thank you very much."