What's your favourite story in Greek mythology? Is it Icarus who flew too close to the sun? Was it Midas who turned everything he touched to gold? Maybe you're more of a Perseus guy/gal. Anyone who slays Medusa is going to get some column inches.
There is a new kid on the block… big Ange, mate. The Greek-Australian who took basket case Tottenham to a European trophy. He slayed the UK press, the football panel pundits, the social media hErOEs and Manchester United to do it.
The thing about many Greek myths is they're glorious stories, with dark twists. Yeah, Midas turns everything to gold, but he killed his own daughter in the process. Icarus achieved flight, but he got so close to the sun that the wax holding his wings together melted and he tumbled out of the sky.
Ange has become the first Australian manager to win a European trophy. Aside from a handful of Argentines, he's the first person outside of Europe. No Brazilians, Japanese, Americans (lol) have achieved that feat.
It's why your social media feed is full of people proclaiming it as the finest coaching achievement by any Australian on a global stage.
Spurs have not won anything in 17 years. Managers like Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, all failed. These are Big Deal managers. Players like Luka Modric, Gareth Bale, Harry Kane, all failed. These are Big Deal players
Ange succeeded.
This is a club whose motto is 'To dare is to do'. As the exceptional Andy Harper remarked on our podcast ABC SPORT Daily, Postecoglou has dared. He brought Angeball to Tottenham and forced the club to embrace a different way of playing. Of being prepared to lose to do something incredible. He's also hit the 'to do' part of the motto. He won something.
To read the analysis coming out of North London, it probably won't be enough to save his tenure at the club. Postecoglou sacrificed a domestic season that was already beyond repair to chase the meaningful achievement. He took weekly beatings on field and off to give them a shot at footballing immortality. Incredibly, he did it.
Imagine if this club that has a motto 'to dare is to do' then sacks that same manager… it will actually only serve to grow the myth of Ange. Imagine what might come next.
