Ange Postecoglou’s immediate success at Tottenham has seen the Australian named the Premier League’s Manager of the Month for August.
But Postecoglou was humble as always when asked by reporters about the honour ahead of Spurs’ next game against Sheffield United, describing himself as just the “frontman” for the club.
“I take great pride but I also understand that in all of those things I’m just sort of the frontman,” Postecoglou said of the award, having guided the North London team to second on the table.
“Obviously we’ve had a really promising start to the season after fair to say a challenging pre-season and that’s because I’ve got great staff and the players have embraced the challenge of us beginning this season in a promising fashion and it’s a credit to everyone the way they’ve tackled that.
“As I said I’m kind of the frontman for that but I think it’s an indication of us as a club that we’ve handled a pretty challenging start fairly well.”
Postecoglou was the first manager since Huddersfield Town’s David Wagner to be awarded the honour in their first month in charge and it was not his only accolade either.
Postecoglou’s achievements at Celtic have also seen him nominated for The Best FIFA Men’s Coach award alongside Pep Guardiola, Simone Inzaghi, Luciano Spalletti and Xavi.
Ange nominated for coach of the year | 00:48
“As for the FIFA nomination, I’m fairly humbled but again I’m just rapt that it’s recognition for a great group of people I work with, staff and players and everyone involved at Celtic, the fans,” a classy Postecoglou said.
“It’s great recognition for that club. It’s a great club and sometimes its achievements get diminished because people sort of look down on the league but I think anytime you win a treble… and we did that last year in the best possible manner.
“We won the league and beat Rangers in both the Cups. It wasn’t easy in any stretch and I just think it’s great recognition for that football club. Again I’m just the frontman but [I am] really, really pleased that that great football club gets the recognition it deserves.”
One of Postecoglou’s new signings, James Maddison, was also named the Premier League’s Player of the Month for his strong form at Tottenham.
Maddison, who Tottenham signed from Leicester City for £40 million ($A77m) has been a revelation for Spurs with two goals and two assists.
Postecoglou though also paid credit to Maddison’s leadership qualities on and off the field, describing his presence as “fantastic” for the entire club.
“It was a fairly low-risk acquisition because he’s just a quality player, we knew that,” Postecoglou said.
“But I think the way he’s embraced the whole football club, his contribution on and off the field, he’s obviously part of the leadership group but the way he’s just embraced the whole group and the whole club has been fantastic for us.
“As I said we haven’t had an ideal build-up leading into the season and him coming in and I guess what you’re looking for from players like him who are coming in with an enthusiasm and a freshness that maybe the players who were here last year and are still carrying some baggage, guys like him and the others that have we have brought in have created a really good energy around the place.
“I’m delighted for Madders… it’s as much for what he’s done around the club as he has on the field.”
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