JUST IN – Ange Postecoglou finally breaks silence and makes a clear verdict amid Liverpool coaching job links to succeed Jurgen Klopp [Full story link in comment]
Ange Postecoglou is being increasingly linked to the soon-to-be vacant Liverpool manager position amid suggestions the iconic club has invited the Aussie coach to interview for the role.
Postecoglou, 58, was a Liverpool fan growing up and has impressed the football world during his first season coaching Tottenham, with the Spurs currently sitting in fourth position on the Premier League ladder having finished the previous season in eighth spot.
“Like any kid, I had posters up on my wall, so Liverpool was my team,” Postecoglou said six months ago at the start of his Tottenham tenure.
With Jurgen Klopp recently revealing he will vacate his role as Liverpool manager at the conclusion of the season after nine years at the helm, Postecoglou may never get a better chance to take on one of the most coveted roles in the sport.
Speaking on SEN’s The Run Home on Monday, host Andy Maher revealed a source with an extensive history of accurate mail on Postecoglou’s managerial movements had told him the former Socceroos coach had been invited to discuss his rumoured dream job with Liverpool.
“So, this is what I’ve received today (from my source) with a, ‘take it to the bank’, right,” Maher said.
“I’m not going to mention who it is (but the message reads), ‘Postecoglou’s manager Frank Trimboli has formally received ‘an invitation to discuss his potential interest in the Liverpool Football Club managerial position.’”
Maher explained his source had previously corrected informed him of Postecoglou’s moves to Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan and Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.
The radio host insisted that despite Postecoglou being just six months into his tenure at the Spurs, he would have to accept the job at Liverpool if it was offered.
“Let’s not lose sight of the fact about this – he is a passionate Liverpool man,” Maher said.
“Liverpool fans have shown that, ‘If you are one of us … and you have success’, you are on the fast track to become an immortal at Anfield.
“He’s got to go (if Liverpool make him an offer). He may never get another chance.”
Maher’s mail came after former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan declared the Aussie, who is signed on a four-year deal at Tottehnam, would be the perfect fit at Liverpool.
“(Ange) would provide a lot of things Jurgen Klopp has managed to be successful in,” Jordan told talkSPORT.
“Galvanising the fan base. The charisma, the personality, the relatability, the style of play.”
Postecoglou is currently one of the favourites to replace Klopp, however the top target for Liverpool is former Reds star and current Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso.
The Reds have reportedly been in discussions with the Spanish legend about the role for more than three months, having been given an early indication from Klopp that his time as manager was coming to an end.
Alonso has Bayern Leverkusen five points clear of German giants Bayern Munich on the Bundesliga ladder.
In a piece of symmetry, the last time Bayern Munich didn’t win the championship was the 2011/12 campaign, when Klopp guided Borussia Dortmund to the title.
Postecoglu has never been shy about making risky moves in his coaching career to date, even if it means leaving the security of a long-term contract.
“I haven’t based any decision in my life around security or contracts,” Postecoglu said.
“Because I’ve probably left secure positions for un-secure positions because that’s how I am as a person.”
The Telegraph is reporting Tottenham are ‘extremely confident’ that Postecoglou will not join Liverpool, or any other rival club, during the upcoming off-season.
The Aussie manager is in line to earn significant bonuses and pay rises in coming months due to his heavily incentivised contract at the Spurs.
