Matches: 49. Wins: 22. Draws: 12. Losses: 15. Goals scored: 86. Goals conceded: 58.
During his playing career, Postecoglou was a defender and represented Australia four times and in 2013 he got the chance to become his country’s national manager.
At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Australia finished bottom of a tough group that also included the Netherlands, Chile and 2010 winners Spain.
Australia hosted the Asian Cup in January 2015 and Postecoglou guided the Socceroos to the final with a crowd of more than 76,000 watching the game against South Korea in Sydney.
Midfielder Massimo Luongo (now at Ipswich Town) put Australia ahead, before Son Heung-min, Postecoglou’s current captain at Tottenham, equalised in the 91st minute to take the tie to extra-time. But James Troisi, who developed through Newcastle United’s academy, scored the winner as Postecoglou and Australia celebrated a 2-1 victory to win the tournament.
Former Everton midfielder Tim Cahill was a key player for Australia at that time and, in an interview with Optus Sport in 2024,, external was full of praise for Postecoglou.
“I never knew Ange until he came to the Australia job, he had a great pedigree,” said Cahill. “When you listen to him, everything he talks about is simple and logical – he wants the ball in play, action and intensity and that’s what the players want.
“The way you look at a coach is their presence and secondly their training, everything was measured and calculated. What I love with Ange is he is very honest, very detailed. He has a really nice way about him and you see the way he connects with players.”
