Australia Manager Uses Ange Postecoglou Speech To Motivate Players Ahead Of England Game

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou gave a motivational speech to the Australian men's national team ahead of Friday's international friendly against England.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou gave a motivational speech to the Australian men's national team ahead of Friday's international friendly against England.

Postecoglou was in charge of the Australian side for four years between 2013 and 2017 and led the nation to glory at the AFC Asian Cup in 2015.

Current manager Graham Arnold asked Postecoglou to speak to his players this week in an attempt to inspire them ahead of a trip to Wembley Stadium.

Fellow former Australia head coach Guus Hiddink also delivered a speech to Arnold's squad.

"The speeches by Ange were very similar to what we've been saying for years," Arnold explained on Thursday. "Doing it for the kids in Australia, the nation and the supporters."

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou pictured following his team's 1-0 win at Luton Town earlier this month :: IMAGO/Action Plus/Shaun Brooks

Australia will begin Friday's game as heavy underdogs, having beaten England just once in seven previous meetings.

England are ranked 23 places above Australia by FIFA but Arnold said of his players: "I know one thing - they will run until they drop.

"The energy will be there and they'll put in the performance of their lives."

Postecoglou has made an excellent start to life at Tottenham after joining the London club in June following two seasons in charge of Celtic.

After eight rounds of fixtures, Postecoglou's Spurs side sit top of the Premier League table.

Postecoglou was named as the Premier League's Manager of the Month for both August and September.