The Tottenham construction and significance of Postecoglou's appointment
The Tottenham construction and significance of Postecoglou's appointment
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| There is more to Postecoglou's appointment than you know |
Another THBN Thought-Provoking Post to Help You Understand The Long-Term Tottenham Hotspur Construction Project Better
Good morning Spurs folk.
A world-class club, world-class facilities, a world-class business model, Spurs' #1 blog THBN (over 25.5m page views), all that's needed now is another world-class article, so here it is.
Things emerge later and it now emerges that Antonio Conte lost the dressing room when the players returned from the World Cup, something I revealed at the beginning of February.
It also emerges that Tottenham have been talking with Ange Postecoglou for months and that would have been over detail, like which type of player to scout, coaching staff, his philosophys and what the club vision and what was exoected on him.
While Daniel Levy was getting abuse from the ill-informed, while fans were saying the club doesn't know what it is doing, Daniel Levy knew exactly what he was doing, exactly what he wanted.
Others were sounded out of course, that's natural, but our press do make fan level assumptions and tell you things they think must be happening but aren't actually happening.
This article will help you to see a clear plan, a clear path you can support the club down.
Your estimated reading time for There is more to Ange Postecoglou's appointment than at first appears so we'll go through it in the next 12 minutes.
No delays, let's crack straight on and reveal:
How Ange Postecoglou Can Bring City Football Group Principles to Transform Tottenham
The recent appointment of Ange Postecoglou as Tottenham Hotspur's new head coach (manager) should have Spurs fans excited and optimistic about the club's future.
Postecoglou's success at Yokohama F. Marinos and Celtic has shown his ability to implement the coaching philosophies of Pep Guardiola's City Football Group model coupled with his own philosophy of attacking, entertaining and successful football.
With the right blend of on-field tactics and off-field organization, adopting key City Group principles could help transform Tottenham into title contenders.
Table of Contents
Implementing Guardiola's Possession-Based Playing Style
Building From the Back
Commitment to Youth Development
Investment in Sports Science and Analytics
Instilling a Winning Mentality
Recruiting Strategically Like CFG
Maximizing Commercial Revenue
Overhaul of Academy Infrastructure
Building a Holistic Coaching Team
Sustainability of Implementing the CFG Model
Conclusion
Implementing Guardiola's Possession-Based Playing Style
The foundation of Postecoglou's coaching philosophy is building a possession-based style akin to Pep Guardiola's teams. At Manchester City and Barcelona, Guardiola's squads are drilled extensively in maintaining ball domination.
Spurs fans can expect Postecoglou to implement similar training ground exercises focusing on crisp passing sequences, disciplined positioning, and constant off-ball movement.
In particular, Postecoglou will likely emphasize faster circulation of the ball to pull opponents out of position. Guardiola sides patiently probe for openings using clever combination play and rapid exchanges of passes. This requires midfield creators like Kevin De Bruyne who can speed up or slow down the tempo.
Tottenham now have a manager who will play a system that suits James Maddison and I predict he is going to grow into an even better player fulfilling the principles of a Kevin De Bruyne-type role.
Out of possession, the team must work cohesively to win back the ball. Guardiola pioneered the "six-second rule" of intense pressing high up the pitch. Postecoglou will coach coordinated pressing traps to force turnovers in dangerous areas.
Fluid positioning and interchangeability between players is another key tenet. Under Postecoglou, expect to see fullbacks pushed high and midfielders rotating to disorient defences. The constant movement and positional flexibility is designed to unlock spaces for exploitation.
Guardiola disciples like Mikel Arteta have shown how these principles can bring vast improvement in the English Premier League (EPL). By ingraining this modern, possession-based style into Tottenham's DNA, Postecoglou can transform Spurs into an elite passing outfit that dominates matches through superior technique and tactics.
Building From the Back
A key aspect of Guardiola's possession-based system is constructing moves from the backline rather than relying on long balls. At previous clubs, Postecoglou has placed great emphasis on developing defenders who are composed on the ball and can initiate attacks.
The first step will be ensuring his centre-backs have the technical quality and vision to distribute effectively. Top-class passing range is crucial - See how Manchester City's John Stones and Aymeric Laporte can spray 40-50 yard diagonals cutting open defences.
Positional intelligence is equally important. Postecoglou will want his central defenders to pick forward passes that actually progress play. This requires reading the game well to see creative passing angles others don't.
By building out from the back, teams can draw opponents up the pitch, creating space in midfield and attack. But this carries risk, requiring centre-backs who can thrive under pressure. Finding the right pairing with a mix of qualities will be imperative.
If you remember John Stones had some howlers for Manchester City until he fully grasped and felt comfortable playing the Guardiola way. Clearly, there is going to be some of this at Tottenham as our central defenders learn, so as fans, we must be supportive and not counter-productive toxicity.
Positivity, not negativity.
Fullbacks are also vital in the modern possession game. At City, Cancelo and Walker tuck inside to overload central areas during build-up. Postecoglou also uses this tactic to outnumber opponents in midfield and work openings.
Developing well-drilled build-up play from defence will provide the platform for Tottenham to control matches under Postecoglou. By echoing Guardiola's principles, he can transform Spurs into a potent attacking force.
Just look at the pre-season friendly against a more advanced, in preparation, West Ham side who are used to playing their system. Tottenham had between 71% and 73% possession, depending upon which report you read and carved chance after chance.
Commitment to Youth Development
A key tenet of the City Football Group is cultivating elite talent from within. Their state-of-the-art academies provide a pathway for promising youngsters to reach the first team. Postecoglou could and indeed has been asked to, look to Tottenham's youth ranks to unearth hidden gems.
Spurs have a rich tradition of producing homegrown stars like Ledley King, Harry Kane, Harry Winks and Oliver Skipp. But competition for places has hindered progression recently. Postecoglou should integrate academy standouts into senior training and give them meaningful minutes.
He may take inspiration from Guardiola, who fast-tracked Foden's development despite having a star-studded squad. Rotating youth players like Alfie Devine and Dane Scarlett into cup games or as substitutes would provide invaluable experience.
Loaning youngsters to clubs with similar styles of play is another CFG initiative Postecoglou could adopt, indeed something I have been advocating for years now. This allows players to gain regular competitive football while honing their tactical understanding.
Uncovering and investing in the next generation demonstrates a long-term vision aligned with Tottenham's DNA. Promoting elite academy talent would bring squad depth and continuity. With Postecoglou's guidance, Spurs' conveyor belt of talent could thrive.
Investment in Sports Science and Analytics
To reach the pinnacle of European football, Tottenham need to emulate City Football Group's massive investment into sports science, analytics and medicine. This is something the club have been doing for a while now.
Utilizing cutting-edge technology and experts in these fields is now crucial for maximizing player performance. I'll just beat the drum of sports psychologists and body language professionals again. GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, and advanced data metrics provide detailed insights into a player's physical and technical strengths and weaknesses.
Spurs should aim to recruit leading sports scientists and performance analysts (Spurs are currently advertising for a First Team Performance Analyst) to mine this data. Specialist coaches can then develop tailored training programs focusing on the exact needs of each player.
In addition, while we have a dead ball coach, his duties do not include throw-ins, a much-neglected area of the game that could potentially provide an advantage with teams not being specifically coached into handling such situations.
Injury prevention is also key, something arguably Tottenham have not been good at. CFG clubs invest heavily in top medical departments and facilities for assessing injury risks. By screening for red flags before they become major issues, players can follow personalized programs to avoid time on the sidelines.
Obviously, we have this in place but the question has to be, how can we improve the department's performance? The Kaisen approach again, constantly look what minor improvements can be made to every aspect to increase departmental performance overall. Fitting that we bring in Japanese methodology don't you think!
Tottenham has invested in sports science but the question has to be, how can we improve the department's performance? The Kaisen approach again, constantly looks at what minor improvements can be made to every aspect to increase departmental performance overall. Fitting that we bring in Japanese methodology don't you think!
Increased funding has brought the best facilities and by combining world-class support with Postecoglou's coaching, Spurs can unleash their squad's full potential.
Instilling a Winning Mentality
A key part of Postecoglou's mission at Tottenham will be transforming the club's mentality into serial winners. At Yokohama, he helped shift the mindset from settling for second to demanding first. Spurs must make the same leap.
Postecoglou will need to reset expectations among the squad, stamping out any complacency. Incremental progress must be replaced by a shared hunger for silverware. He should set bold targets for all competitions.
This is one of the 'hidden' guiding principles in Napoleon Hill's seminal work: Think and Grow Rich. A vision you 'totally' believe you will achieve. Then, when implemented with unwavering perseverance, it becomes just a matter of time.
Equally important is building resilience - imbuing players with the self-belief to bounce back from setbacks. Look at how Guardiola steered City through a rocky start last season. Postecoglou must foster that same stubborn resolve.
All of this has to come from within the character of each player, any self-doubt should be uncovered and immediately addressed by the 1st team sports psychologist. This is why it is essential these meetings become an integral part of training.
On the training ground, every drill should be competitive and game-like. Standards must be kept high through constructive criticism, never allowing deficiencies to creep in.
I can't let that pass without reminding fans that destructive criticism does not help at all so if you are a supporter and truly want success, then your criticism should be constructive.
If Postecoglou can cultivate an insatiable winning mentality and strong leadership core within the group, the sky is the limit. Players will buy into his philosophy and Tottenham can target trophies year after year, both domestically and in Europe.
Recruiting Strategically Like CFG
Historically, Tottenham's recruitment has been hit-or-miss in the transfer market. To succeed like CFG clubs, Spurs must become more strategic and develop talent more effectively.
Let me throw this at you. Tottenham appointed Scott Munn, the chief executive of City Football Group China since 2019, having previously held the same role at CFG-owned Melbourne City in his native Australia for nine years.
Not only do we now have an Australian connection, but we also have a City Football Group connection to, so Spurs do seem to be aligning the club with the world’s leading private owner and operator of football clubs.
The City Football Group utilizes data models to specifically identify targets tailored for their system. Postecoglou will adopt this approach, prioritizing players with attributes to implement his philosophy rather than chasing marquee names.
For example, advanced analytics may pinpoint undervalued prospects adept at progressing play from deep areas. Or agile creators who can unlock defences in tight spaces.
The key is aligning each new signing with a specific tactical need. Every transfer must improve the squad, not just its reputation. astute moves like Rodri and Bernardo Silva show how City's meticulous recruiting gets results.
This model also provides competition to raise standards rather than relying on 11 undisputed starters. With a deeper, tactically-complimentary squad, Tottenham can better sustain title challenges on multiple fronts under Postecoglou.
Maximizing Commercial Revenue
To execute both Levy's and Postecoglou's vision, increased revenue will be vital. Tottenham must emulate City Football Group's commercial success to fund greater spending and the affordability of wages, especially in light of UEFA spending rules that will only permit 70% of total revenue to be spent on transfer fees, agents fees, player wages and head coaching team wages in 2 years time.
CFG has turbocharged City's global brand via regional offices and tailored content. Spurs need to follow suit - growing their fanbase worldwide through social media campaigns, preseason tours and marketing in strategic countries.
Securing a lucrative stadium naming rights partner should be the priority, but as I have said before, this revolves around Harry Kane signing a new contract at the moment.. The revenue from selling these rights would enable major investment in the squad. City's Etihad deal highlights the potential windfall.
Expanding Spurs' portfolio of global sponsors is also key. Tapping into new markets could land deals with foreign companies eyeing greater UK exposure. An NFL franchise would be a big boost and open the lucrative American market.
Under the CFG model, commercial growth supports sporting objectives. With Daniel Levy at the helm, any revenue gains would be reinvested to aid Tottenham's quest for trophies.
This is self-evident from the CIES Football Observatory research that identified Tottenham as the fourth highest net spender in Europe (effectively the world) since 2018/19, the stadium opened in April 2019.
The club's brand and coffers could be transformed if they can mirror City's commercial blueprint. The funds generated would allow Postecoglou to turn Tottenham into a dominant force.
Overhaul of Academy Infrastructure
Tottenham already boast elite training facilities and infrastructure to develop top talent. Their academy hub at Hotspur Way is among the best in Europe. The priority should be getting the most out of these assets. Postecoglou can build on strong foundations to create clear pathways from the youth teams into the senior setup. Integrating the academy stars of tomorrow with first-team training will facilitate this transition. Guardiola actively promotes youth, and Postecoglou will do the same at Spurs. Using data and global scouting to widen the talent pool would further enhance Tottenham's conveyor belt of young talent, as would introducing world-class mentality training programs to help attract them.
With upgraded infrastructure already in place, Postecoglou need only maximize these world-class assets to cement a pipeline of homegrown stars under his guidance.
You'll note Spurs have been bringing in youth talent in recent years to put through this pipeline in the manner of Danny Rose and Kyle Walker before them.
Building a Holistic Coaching Team
To successfully implement his philosophy, Postecoglou must assemble an integrated backroom team aligned with his vision and Tottenham's principles.
Appointing coaches who complement his strengths will provide vital tactical and training support. City's staff continuity under Guardiola allows them to ingrain their playing style over time. Postecoglou needs similar buy-in.
Bringing in specialists adept at drilling Guardiola-style techniques like positioning, pressing and passing would accelerate Tottenham's development in these areas.
Strength and conditioning coaches attuned with sports science innovations are also crucial. Tailored physical development and injury prevention require expertise and investment.
Furthermore, expanding analytics and recruitment departments would enhance transfer strategy and in-depth player analysis.
Surrounding the manager with experienced and talented young, hand-picked staff operating in sync is key for any top club. Postecoglou will surely look to build a strong team around him to make his mark at Tottenham. A united coaching structure vastly improves the chances of successfully bringing the CFG model to life.
Sustainability of Implementing the CFG Model
In many respects, Tottenham are well-positioned to adopt aspects of the City Football Group model given their state-of-the-art facilities.
Their stunning new world-leading stadium is better than the Etihad, while training ground investments have built world-class state-of-the-art infrastructure at Hotspur Way. This provides the ideal environment to implement Guardiola's and Postecoglou's demanding preparation.
With their Category 1 academy producing talents like Kane, Spurs already have a sustainable pipeline of elite youth. Further integrating these players into the first team is achievable with Postecoglou at the helm.
While major transfers may be out of reach currently, Spurs have proven scouting networks to identify affordable hidden gems that fit the model, especially in the English Football League (EFL) and abroad.
I would argue that Tottenham have bought talented players, but that their development has been poor and that has to come down, in large part, to the managers, given that is their role. This, probably more than recruitment, is the key area Spurs have got it wrong. It is tough in a results-driven business and thus far I'd suggest we haven't found the right formula. Have we now with Postecoglou?
Commercially, launching a dedicated NFL team at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium would provide huge new revenue potential from an untapped market. This would support growth in line with CFG's diversified strategy.
With Daniel Levy targeting the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona's stature on and off the pitch, the building blocks are now there. Backing his vision and Postecoglou's vision, promoting youth and targeted recruiting could make that lofty ambition a reality.
The Tottenham Hotspur foundations that Daniel Levy has put in place allow room to sustainably implement community aspects (£1 billion football-led Tottenham regeneration project) of the club's model for on-field and off-field success.
Conclusion
The appointment of Ange Postecoglou has added to strong foundations for Tottenham Hotspur to continue to adopt key aspects of the City Football Group model. With world-class facilities and infrastructure already in place, Spurs are well-positioned to implement Guardiola-inspired tactics and upgrades sustainably over time.
By ingraining a possession-based style, prioritizing academy integration, recruiting strategically, and maximizing commercial opportunities like a dedicated NFL team, Daniel Levy can realistically guide Tottenham back to the elite level we aspire to regain.
If talent is properly developed, then Postecoglou's vision aligns perfectly with ENIC's long-term strategy. Postecoglou's credentials and philosophy paired with Tottenham's existing assets provide the perfect platform to take Spurs to new heights. The future looks bright in N17.
COYS
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Below is a series of Ange Postecoglou articles:
- Ange Postecoglou's TV interview with Network 10
- Postecoglou vs Fans
- Postecoglou urges fans to rally behind Spurs
- The Postecoglou message Spurs fans haven't heard
Below, a selection of other recent articles:
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