The 4 Celtic manager factors needed in a post-Postecoglou era

Ange Postecoglou has been a revelation since joining Celtic in the summer of 2021, winning five out of six available trophies across the last two seasons.

The Australian has become a fan favourite during his time at the club, with his style of play and personality captivating supporters.

A manager such as Postecoglou was always going to attract interest from big hitters across Europe, the latest being Tottenham Hotspur.

The North London club are coming off a season having finished eighth in the Premier League and will be without European football in the next campaign.

Antonio Conte was dismissed as head coach earlier this year and Cristian Stellini, who took over in an interim role, was also let go after a poor run of form.

While Celtic supporters will be hoping Postecoglou remains in situ, Spurs have reportedly made the Australian their number one target and look set to appoint the 57-year-old in the coming days.

If he is to move on, those in charge of the club will be tasked with picking a worthy successor and said person will have big shoes to fill.

Therefore it is worth considering what characteristics the next appointment would need to be successful.

READ MORE: Postecoglou's pal on why he doesn't see him leaving Celtic for Spurs

An attacking style of play

One of the main factors that has warmed Postecoglou to the fans has been the way he has the team playing. The excitement of free-flowing attacking football was a welcome relief after the turgid displays of the disastrous 2020-21 campaign. With the inverted full-backs grabbing a lot of the attention in the early stages of the season due to the unique way that they came inside to overload the midfield, supporters were instantly captivated by how the 57-year-old wanted his team to play. Another aspect that the fans instantly bought into was how quickly the team moved the ball. Whether it be how Joe Hart passed from the back or through throw-ins or corners, the squad completely encapsulated the "we never stop" mentality. A new manager would need to bring all this and more to get the fans onside quickly. The tactics do not need to be identical, but they must be based on the principles of attacking football. Supporters will not accept anything less.

Eye for a player

Postecoglou's recruitment since joining the club has been one of the strongest things about his spell in charge. He has used his knowledge of the Asian market, after managing Yokohama F Marinos, to his full advantage, signing seven players from the region. Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate, Yuki Kobayashi, Tomoki Iwata and Oh Hyeon-gyu have all received plenty of game time under the Celtic boss. With Kyogo, Maeda and Hatate becoming important parts of how the team want to play, an eye for a player is vital when it comes to the person who may replace Postecoglou. The club also signed players such as Jota, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt, who have added plenty to the squad. But it is Postecoglou's ability to convince players, as well as the initial scouting, which will have to be replaced should he move down south.

The personality

"When Ange speaks you listen. Everybody does, regardless of whoever you are. Regardless of how old or young you are, when he says something you stop what you’re doing. That’s what he’s really good at. He just commands respect from everyone. He does have a joke around at times and it’s nice to see him when he does bring that side out."

Those were the words of Matt O'Riley when discussing his current boss. It is clear that Postecoglou commands the respect of his whole squad and does not suffer fools lightly. It goes without saying that if the Aussie leaves, then the next manager must be able to communicate in the same way with their players and staff. His verbal skill also extends to the media where his fierce intelligence and dry humour mean he's both liked and feared - a crucial blend when dealing with the intensity that comes from being in the glare of the combative Scottish media.

READ MORE: Why Celtic board have trust to replace Postecoglou - if he goes

Rapport with the fans

This could be the most difficult thing for a new boss to replicate at Parkhead. Postecoglou is undoubtedly loved by the fans in a way not seen arguably since Martin O'Neill or Tommy Burns were in charge of the club. Even if whoever was to come in was successful and played an attacking brand of football that excited supporters, it would still be a tough task for them to build the same relationship that Postecoglou has with the people in the stands. "As much as I’m the manager of this football club, and I’m really passionate about it, I’m not invested in the same way our supporters are," Postecoglou once said. "I can’t be because they’ve got generations. It would be insulting of me to say that it means the same to me as them. But I bear the burden of that responsibility. I know what it means to our people that in these big games we are successful.” Postecoglou speaks with such affection about the Celtic masses that whoever replaces him, whenever that may be, will find it difficult to come from under his shadow.