Have Tottenham Finally Found Mr Right In Ange Postecoglou?

Ange Postecoglou has already won over the Tottenham Hotspur fans but could he be the manager that finally ends the club's trophy drought?

"We've got our Tottenham back!"

That was the chant by Spurs fans at Bournemouth where Ange Postecoglou's side won 2-0 on Saturday to briefly go top of the Premier League.

Postecoglou has already won over the Tottenham supporters but could he be the manager that finally ends the club's trophy drought?

The Greece-born Australian boss has quickly revolutionized Tottenham's style of play since his arrival from Celtic in June.

The turgid defensive tactics previously implemented by Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte have been replaced by a refreshing high-pressing attacking philosophy.

Spurs averaged just 49.8% of possession in their Premier League games last season but have had 60.26% of the ball in their opening three matches of the Postecoglou era.

Saturday's victory at Bournemouth maintained Tottenham's unbeaten start to the season. It followed last weekend's impressive 2-0 win over Manchester United, after Spurs had began their campaign with a creditable 2-2 draw at Brentford.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou pictured during his team's win away at Bournemouth on Saturday :: IMAGO/Pro Sports Images/Graham Hunt

Postecoglou's encouraging start has created a wave of optimism around the club. However, expectations remain modest following last season's eighth-place finish and the recent exit of Harry Kane.

If Postecoglou can continue to work unburdened by excess pressure then there is a feeling that he could build something special in North London.

Spurs have not won a major trophy since lifting the EFL Cup in 2008 and the club's obsession with ending that run was made obvious following the appointments of Mourinho and Conte.

When welcoming Mourinho in a club statement in November 2019, chairman Daniel Levy said: "In Jose we have one of the most successful managers in football. He has a wealth of experience, can inspire teams and is a great tactician. He has won honors at every club he has coached."

Two years later, when Conte arrived at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Fabio Paratici - who was then the club's managing director wrote: "We are delighted to welcome Antonio to the club. His track record speaks for itself, with vast experience and trophies in both Italy and England."

But there was no mention of trophies or silverware when Spurs announced the appointment of Postecoglou on June 6.

Instead, Levy's onboarding statement read: "Ange brings a positive mentality and a fast, attacking style of play. He has a strong track record of developing players and an understanding of the importance of the link from the academy - everything that is important to our club. We are excited to have Ange join us as we prepare for the season ahead."

Despite his low-key introduction, Postecoglou has won trophies with seven of the 10 teams he has managed prior to joining Spurs.

Postecoglou won five trophies in two seasons as Celtic manager :: IMAGO/Sportsphoto/Richard Sellers

Postecoglou's trophies have come in less glitzy surroundings than Conte's back-to-back-to-back Serie A titles with Juventus and Mourinho's two Champions League triumphs.

But his track record is still mightily impressive and would perhaps suggest that Big Ange should not be underestimated.

Trophies Won By Teams Managed By Ange Postecoglou

• National Soccer League Premiership (South Melbourne, 1998)
• Oceania Club Championship (South Melbourne, 1999)
• OFC U-17 Championship (Australia U17, 2001)
• OFC U-20 Championship (Australia U20, 2001)
• OFC U-20 Championship (Australia U20, 2002)
• OFC U-17 Championship (Australia U17, 2003)
• OFC U-20 Championship (Australia U20, 2005)
• OFC U-17 Championship (Australia U17, 2005)
• AFF U-20 Youth Championship (Australia U20, 2006)
• A-League Premiership (Brisbane Roar, 2011)
• AFC Asian Cup (Australia, 2015)
• J1 League (Yokohama F. Marinos, 2019)
• Scottish League Cup (Celtic, 2022)
• Scottish Premiership (Celtic, 2022)
• Scottish League Cup (Celtic, 2023)
• Scottish Premiership (Celtic, 2023)
• Scottish Cup (Celtic, 2023)