Unveiling the Tactical Brilliance: Postecoglou's Philosophy Meets Nicholson's Legacy

Hello once again positive Spurs fans.

After Tottenham's impressive 0-2 victory against Bournemouth, 2-0 victory over Manchester United and 2-5 win against Burnley, the eyes of Tottenham fans turn again to Ange Postecoglou and his innovative tactics.

But there's more to it than meets the eye.

Today I'll dive into the mind of the man behind the strategy and see how it compares to the legendary Bill Nicholson's "Push and Run" style.

Unmasking the Inspiration Behind Postecoglou's Vision

In a recent Bournemouth game press conference, Ange Postecoglou playfully quipped, "I just copied Pep, mate," when asked about his team's use of inverted full-backs.

Postecoglou has of course been using them for 10 years!

However, this Australian manager's roots go much deeper than just tactical mimicry.

In fact, he's a visionary coach who prioritizes possession-based, attacking football and openly portrays the elements of success the general public either don't know or simply dismisses.

The Soul of a Coach: Understanding Philosophy

Postecoglou believes that a coach's philosophy should spring from within, a reflection of their true self.

I can tell you from personal experience that how you coach is not always a reflection of how you play. You could have been a player playing one way with a coaching mindset that embraces a different direction.

Postecoglou is not a follower of trends; he's a trendsetter. Someone tell Gary Neville and Joe Cole would you. Their "copy Pep" comments suggest the pair don't look at football outside the Premier League and certainly haven't done their homework on Postecoglou since he joined Tottenham as head coach in the summer.

Unlike coaches who shift their beliefs under pressure, Postecoglou's principles remain unshaken. If you are not going to stick by your beliefs then why have you got beliefs that you don't believe in yourself!

Let me take you to my experience to show you the difference between a coaching mind and a normal mind.

I selected a player, nobody else would select at that level. I selected him because I wanted a job doing and I felt, of all the options available to me at the club at that time, that despite a mobility negative I'd have to carry, he was the best man to perform the role I wanted performing.

He was an instant success and after 2 games I never heard another word of complaint against him being selected.

My coaching head had my team playing in a style that was different to my style, although there was still the need for my role within that.

Jack Charlton was selected by Alf Ramsey to perform a role and Jack thought it was a joke when he was told he had been selected for England. He won the World Cup!

Players playing a role and fitting a role are absolutely essential. The guy who isn't the most skillful can be more important to a side than the guy who is, but better that there is a place for both.

The much-maligned Clint Dempsey was tasked with doing the defensive work for Gareth Bale, freeing his brilliance in an attacking role. Without Dempsey doing the donkey work Bale wouldn't have excelled as he did.

Beyond Winning: The Power of Purpose

For Postecoglou, coaching is about more than just winning; it's about creating a shared purpose that transcends the scoreboard.

A coach has a vision, we'll call that utopia.

He or she, works toward utopia first and foremost.

A secondary consideration is winning each game along the way.

A fan thinks the other way round.

His utopia involves playing exhilarating football that keeps supporters on the edge of their seats.

This positive ambition fuels his teams to push boundaries and chase excitement.

This may sound alien to many, but he's not afraid to concede goals in the pursuit of thrilling attacking play. Don't get me wrong, he doesn't want to concede any goals and even in a fluid attacking structure, he has organised defence.

The approach demands a certain personality, a positive personality – one that's bold, brave, and unwaveringly committed to the cause.

Fluidity in Action: The Essence of Postecoglou's Playstyle

Postecoglou's tactical blueprint revolves around possession, purpose, and proactive play. We have discussed proactive vs reactive before, if you remember back that far.

His teams focus on 'meaningful' ball retention, constantly seeking attacking opportunities rather than the aimless possession we have seen in the past.

The opposition can't score if you have the ball, but neither can you if your possession is aimless, you don't wear down or wear out the opposition.

Constant attacking possession does, it multiples the number of decisions players have to make and that wears both the mind and the body.

For those of you who have not exerted your little grey cells, you can be physically exhausted by your brain constantly having to make decisions and tell your muscles what to do, even if the actual physical activity wouldn't normally wear you out.

Postecoglou is a head coach who doesn't just want to keep the ball, he wants to score goals with it. He wants an end product.

Since the days of Robbie Keane I have been writing that when we are 2 up we need to practice 'clinical finishing' instead of the lazy half-hearted mess we used to make of things or just keeping the ball in midfield, like many an expert tells you you should.

Why? Because then you'll be trained to be clinical, then you'll be more clinical when it really matters in a tight game, instead of trying to turn it on and off like a tap.

You have to have that 'killer' mindset.

Postecoglou's positive philosophy permeates every aspect of his coaching – from building from the back, seeking spaces, and creating angles for attack, to high-pressure defence that aims to regain possession swiftly.

His players don't just embrace positions; they embrace spaces, creating a fluidity that's a sight to behold.

Empowerment: Postecoglou's Coaching Approach

In Postecoglou's world, coaching isn't about dictating; it's about empowering.

Yes he dictates this is how we are going to play, you do it my way or you leave, but he creates an environment where those with similar mindsets who totally buy into the style will excel.

I'll give it a try and see how it goes approach doesn't work, you either totally buy into something or you might as well move on and if you are just staying somewhere for the money then you';re basically a waste of space holding everything back.

He believes in creating an environment that encourages the cultivation of self-belief in players and staff, encouraging them to make decisions that align with his philosophy.

He values the development of young players and staff alike, fostering an environment where growth and innovation thrive.

Beyond Today: The Coach of the Future

Postecoglou doesn't just coach for today; he coaches for tomorrow.

Fans want players who improve a squad now, to win a trophy now. Clubs and coaches look more long-term than that.

Postecoglou envisions a game beyond current trends, where players transcend positional constraints and embrace a more fluid approach.

His vision is reminiscent of the golden era of football – the "total football" of the past – where players seamlessly interchanged positions to outwit opponents. Perhaps we better have an article looking Postecoglou against the Dutch era.

His relentless pursuit of this ideal ensures that he's always coaching in the future, driving the evolution of the beautiful game.

Any player should be able to pop up in any position while still maintaining defensive solidity through the team recognizing needs and covering them.

To Wind This Down

Ange Postecoglou's coaching philosophy isn't just about tactics; it's about identity, purpose, and a vision for the future.

This is the start of a journey within a journey and the journey has to be given time to create the playing foundations for a longer-term journey.

As we Tottenham fans bask in the glory of his 'Tottenham Way' style, we're also witnessing a commitment to entertaining football and an unyielding belief in a fluid, unpredictable game with a structured framework.

The echoes of Bill Nicholson's "Push and Run" style may have found a kindred spirit in Postecoglou, both coaches with an unwavering dedication to a philosophy that transcends mere wins and losses.

It produced glory for Nicholson, I'm hoping it produces glory today

Dare to dream rather than being negative and embrace the future not the past. If you can't release your past, why are you expecting the club to?