Ange: “We want to be a team that wins things and, ultimately, entertains our fans”

Ange Postecoglou’s first words as our Head Coach will be music to the ears of all Spurs fans.

After all the talk, all the written words, all the opinion following his appointment, it was time to ask the man himself, in his own words, to paint a picture for all of us of what an Ange Postecoglou team might look like.

Here’s what he had to say to SPURSPLAY. “I like to win, that’s the main thing, and I’ve done that wherever I’ve been. The football is designed to bring success. Alongside that it’s really important to me that there is an element of what I think most fans and players want to be associated with, and that’s football that’s exciting, that people talk about, not just the end result but also the manner in which you played your football.

“That’s really important to me, a, because I think it’s a way to be successful and also secondly, because it allows people to grab onto those things that are most special about our game, those memorable moments.

“People want to see their team scoring goals, being exciting, not conceding goals, being aggressive in their approach, all these kinds of things that everyone seeks in their own football team. That’s what I want to try to provide. The basis of it will be that we want to be a team that wins things and, ultimately, entertains our fans.

“I’m very excited about the challenge ahead - an enormous football club, exciting league, I guess all the things you strive for in your professional career. It’s great to be here and getting ready to work.”

Ange didn’t need reminding that we’re already counting down to 2023/24 - in six weeks’ time, he’ll take us to Brentford (13 August) for our Premier League opener, quickly followed by a huge home game against Manchester United (currently 19 August). Indeed, we’re less than three weeks away from hist first game – back home in Australia - as we take on West Ham in our pre-season opener in Perth (18 July).

So, what are his early priorities? “Again, it’s something I’ve done wherever I’ve gone… the most important thing for me in this early part is that people get to know me,” he said. “Staff, players, people associated with the club, they need to get to know me and what I’m about. If they get to know me and believe in me, whatever I need to do after that is easier. That’s the first bit.

“It’s a huge organisation and, for me, to allow that to happen means I have to be present in as many areas as I can be in this early part, and that’s what I will try to do, make sure I’m present in every aspect of the football club, so people at least have some exposure to me.

“Beyond that, it’s working with the players. They are the most important people. Players are the most important people in this football club and every football club. We have six weeks - how can we prepare these guys to make sure come the first weekend of Premier League football that we’re ready to go?”

What is he most excited about? “I’m looking forward to all of it,” he said. “There is not one bit of it I’m not looking forward to. I understand that there is great expectation here, great responsibility, that’s not lost on me.

“It’s not just about going out there and saying, ‘this is wonderful, what a great experience’, I’ve taken the responsibility on of a massive football club, great history and with a supporter base that’s craving for football and more great moments to add to the historical base we’ve already got.

“I understand that. I love that too. That’s exactly where I want to be. I don’t want to be anywhere else. I want to be in that position of having that responsibility, understanding that and embracing that. I’m looking forward to that challenge.

“It’s a great moment, a proud moment not just for myself but for my family and friends and people who have been on that journey, because they’ve all lived those experiences with me. My main thoughts will be on the responsibility I bear and the excitement I have within me that I can fulfil those dreams and aspirations of every Tottenham supporter.”

Look out for more from Ange this week as he talks about his coaching team, our new arrivals - James Maddison and Guglielmo Vicario, returning back home to Australia on Tour later this month, his football journey and the influence of his father and... driving his early coach, all-time great Ferenc Puskas, in 'the most embarrassing car'...