Luongo’s insight on Ange: 'He never rests, he keeps pushing and pushing'

Massimo Luongo believes Ange Postecoglou can make a massive impact in north London.

An Australia international who came through our system before making his first team debut for us in September, 2011, there’s perhaps not many players who know Ange as well as Massimo, with the midfielder having played under our new Head Coach for the Australia national team.

Given his Socceroos debut by Ange in September, 2014, Massimo went on to earn 31 of his 43 international caps to date under our new boss, including playing in all six of their matches on their way to Asian Cup glory in 2015 – a tournament in which the midfielder was named ‘Most Valuable Player’.

Describing his time working with Ange as an ‘amazing’ period of his life, we recently caught up with the 30-year-old, who now plays for Championship side Ipswich Town, to get his insight on our new Head Coach - a man he feels can have a lasting impact in N17.

“To be honest, I never thought an Australian would be picked (for a Premier League job); I think he would probably say the same thing,” Massimo explained as he reacted to the news of Ange’s appointment. “I think he would always think we’re already running with adversity because we're Australian. I think that's always his output, so our goal in the national team was always to prove people wrong.

“He's always come with that underdog mentality but he's always looking to achieve as much as he can.

“I remember when he was at Celtic, I heard he was being linked to a few jobs in the Premier League. I discussed it with my team-mates and I was saying ‘No, I know his mentality. He wants a big side. He wants a top six side. He wants to push for the Champions League in England. He is not settling for less than that.’

“He was at a massive club, so he was only going to go to a bigger club - that’s his mentality. It is always (a case of), he knows how good he is, what he can do, and he never rests. He's always pushing and pushing and pushing.

“I think, people like that, in general, you don’t really know where they might end up. I always had an idea that he would make it far but, honestly, I just never thought an Australian could actually make it to the Premier League as a manager.

“Whether (Spurs) get top whatever or they win the league or they finish mid table, I always believe he will leave an impact. Whether it's the football he plays or trophies or just in some way, he will leave an impact. I think everywhere he has gone, he has left an impact.

“He created an unbelievable side at Celtic and won all of those trophies and then, going back to Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan, he’s left a legacy of a different team, playing extraordinary football that no one has ever seen over there. So I think he will do really well.”