Greek Heritage, Once a Boy to Puskas: Ange Postecoglou Untold

As a football fan learning about Ange Postecoglou’s background, we must ask if you have heard of the name “Puskás”? Probably yes… as he is the legendary Hungarian Ferenc Puskás, a renowned player and Real Madrid legend. Ange’s father told him stories about Puskás when he was a child, and Ange was also coached by him. Decades later, Postecoglou built on Puskás’ strategies in his own coaching, applying them to all his teams.

During his playing days, Ange was one of those unfortunate footballers whose careers ended prematurely before the age of 28. Like Julian Nagelsmann, Postecoglou’s playing career was cut short by injury—specifically, a knee injury—at the age of 27.

When it comes to his origins, Ange Postecoglou’s roots can be traced back to Greece, and he holds a strong connection to the Greek Orthodox Christian faith. Alongside supporting his local team, AEK Athens F.C., he also developed a passion for the English team Liverpool.

His parents made the decision to leave Greece and relocate to Australia in search of a better life for their children, driven by circumstances including a military coup in their homeland. In Australia, young Ange bonded closely with his father, Jim Postecoglou, particularly over their shared love for soccer. Jim had a keen eye for certain types of players, and Ange has often mentioned that his goal has always been to create teams that his father would enjoy watching.

In summary, our article on Ange Postecoglou goes beyond untold career facts to delve into his childhood story, earliest encounters with football, and the pivotal roles played by his parents, Voula and Dimitris “Jim” Postecoglou. We explore his rich Greek family background, introduce his siblings—including his sister Liz—and shed light on his personal life, including his wife Georgia Postecoglou. Additionally, we delve into Ange’s family origins, personality traits, and lifestyle, offering a comprehensive view of the man behind the coach.

Preamble:

Our version of Ange Postecoglou’s biography aims to captivate your interest from the outset. To kick things off, we’ve curated a captivating photo gallery that encapsulates the journey of this sportsman, from his early days in soccer to his rise to fame. Ange Postecoglou, whose Greek heritage has profoundly influenced his journey, has traversed a remarkable path in his life.

Among Ange Postecoglou’s remarkable accomplishments, in November 2022, he was honoured with induction into the Football Australia Hall of Fame. This prestigious recognition was bestowed upon him for his exceptional contributions to Australian football as a player and a coach, leaving an indelible mark on the sport both on and off the field.

Nonetheless, even with our years of research on football managers, we found a lot of deficiencies in the full knowledge of talented soccer bosses. As such, only a few Soccer lovers have an in-depth version of Ange Postecoglou’s thrilling Biography. Now, without further ado, let’s proceed.

Ange Postecoglou’s Childhood Story:

For Biography starters, his full name is Angelos Postecoglou. He was born on the 27th day of August 1965 to his amazing parents – his dad, Jim Postecoglou and mum, Voula Postecoglou, in Nea Filadelfeia, a suburban town in the Athens agglomeration, Greece.

The village became named after the Anatolian city Filadelfeia, now Alaşehir in Turkey. His birth occurred on a faithful Friday to his beneficial father and mother.

The Soccer Athlete and his older sister, Liz, are the offspring of the blissful union of his sacrificing parents – Mother (Voula Postecoglou) and Father (Jim Postecoglou). Now, let’s introduce you to Ange Postecoglou’s parents.

His mother and father, whose continual push and hard work, saw to it that the full potential of their Son came to fruition.

Growing-Up:

Now a well-known Australian soccer coach, Angelo “Ange” Postecoglou, though birthed in Athens, Greece, immigrated with his nuclear family by boat to Australia at the age of five.

His father, Dimitris (Jim Postecoglou), lost his business following the 1967 Greek military coup. Therefore, settling in Melbourne, Victoria, often referred to as the sporting capital of Australia.

Growing up in Melbourne, Victoria, a Greek immigrant family offered Ange Postecoglou rich and diverse experiences. First of all, Melbourne is known for its rich cultural heritage and thriving love for sports.

The athletic city hosts major sporting events like the Australian Open (tennis), the Melbourne Cup (horse racing), and the AFL Grand Final (Australian Rules football).

Basically, growing up in Melbourne means being exposed to a strong sporting culture and having access to world-class sporting facilities.

Therefore, it was only natural for Ange to be a sport-loving person. Similarly, as a child, he has had an aura about him.

Being an immigrant caused him to be bullish and robust—also a friendly lad with big dreams. According to Ange, many of his most memorable times, specifically as a child, were football-related.

Ange Postecoglou’s Early Life (Football):

As a child, the dazzling athlete developed a love for the foot game. Also, as a Sports lover, he displayed confidence and boldness among his peers. Gradually, he began to narrow his athletic activities to football from a young age.

Even though football (known as soccer in Australia) was not as popular as Australian Rules football or cricket, nonetheless, his passion for the sport was unwavering.

Postecoglou deeply admired his dad so much. Therefore, he calls his father his hero. Specifically, he saw how football made his father come alive, and he knew this was his route to forming a bond with him.

Similarly, Postecoglou’s parents, his mother (Voula Postecoglou) and father (Jim Postecoglou), also supported his interest in football. They encouraged his involvement in the sport.

Despite facing cultural differences and the challenges of a less football-focused environment, Postecoglou’s determination and talent set him on a path to pursue a football career.

Ange Postecoglou Family Background:

Growing up in a Greek household, Postecoglou got exposed to Greek culture, traditions, and values.

Ange’s dad worked so hard. Correspondingly, he would leave home in the mornings before his children were awake. He would get back late, eat dinner and go to bed. Jim’s love for the sport was in-depth and rubbed off on young Ange.

Postecoglou’s father, Jim, was strict and undoubtedly determined to improve his family’s life. Moving to Melbourne, the household settled in the suburb of Prahran, which, back then, was a neighbourhood primarily for working-class immigrants.

Certainly, the strong influence of his Greek background shaped his identity and also contributed to his love for football since the sport is highly regarded and widely followed in Greece.

Ange Postecoglou Family Origin:

The Association football manager and former player is of Greek descent, although born in the Nea Filadelfeia, a suburb of Athens, Greece.

Consequently, after his father, Dimitris (“Jim”), lost his business following the Greek military coup of 1967, Postecoglou immigrated to Australia by boat in 1970.

The Australian government had implemented policies to encourage immigration, particularly from European countries, to boost the country’s population and workforce. Ange Postecoglou was five when his dad moved the family to settle in Melbourne, Victoria.

His heritage and cultural background have played a significant role in shaping his identity and passion for soccer. He has often acknowledged his Greek roots and has been a proud representative of the Greek-Australian community.

Conversely, he has lived all his life in Australia. Consequently, the talented player and coach are Australian but of Greek origin.

Therefore, the Greek-born Aussie footie legend Ange Postecoglou is Australian-Greeks. Following is a picture that explains the cultural heritage of the Star athlete and football coach.

Ethnicity:

Ange Postecoglou is an Australian by naturalization. However, Ange’s Greek heritage is overriding and has strongly influenced him.

His birthplace, Athens, dominates as the capital of the Attica region. The City is among the world’s oldest cities, with a record history spanning over 3,400 years.

Comparatively, as one who grew up in one of the most multicultural cities in Melbourne, Australia. He was exposed to various cultures, traditions, and cuisines worldwide. So, while his nationality is Australian, his ethnicity is Greek.

As you would expect, he is fluent in his mother tongue, even though he left Greece very young to head to Australia with his family. In addition, Ange speaks and communicates effectively in English.

Ange Postecoglou Education:

Melbourne boasts a robust education system with numerous high-quality schools and universities. Prestigious institutions offer a wide range of educational opportunities.

Nonetheless, there needs to be more information available about Ange Postecoglou’s schooling. However, we know that he completed his studies in Australia. Furthermore, His focus and dedication to soccer led him to combine his education with football.

As such, he enrolled as a teenager into a specialized sports academy associated with a football club. These programs offer a combination of academic education alongside intensive football training and competition.

Career Buildup:

The Greek culture, with its emphasis on family, community, and passion for football, likely profoundly impacted Postecoglou’s career.

Moreover, Football in Australia gave immigrants a sense of belonging. So, for Postecoglou and other players from Greek, Croatian, Italian and European diasporas, it got steeped in every fibre of their being (playing football was the order of the day).

These values, later on, influenced his coaching philosophy, which in turn emphasized teamwork, unity, and a strong work ethic. As an immigrant, he played as a defender for a local Greek club in Melbourne during his teenage years.

Ange Postecoglou demonstrated exceptional skills and became recognized for his tactical understanding of the game. His playing career, however, was cut short due to a knee injury, leading him to shift his focus to coaching and management.

Ange Postecoglou Bio – Football Story:

His upbringing is a big thing. Basically, As a child, Postecoglou’s dad would get Ange up in the middle of the night to watch English football games on TV. Ange and his father were a huge fan of Liverpool. The duo supported the team aggressively.

Gradually, his passion for the foot game translated into playing soccer in the local leagues, where he quickly showed welcoming promises as a talented player. Therefore, his skills and dedication to the sport caught the attention of various clubs.

Having watched South Melbourne with his dad, Postecoglou joined as a youth player at the age of 12 in 1978. Afterwards, he eventually joined the youth academy of South Melbourne FC, one of the most successful soccer teams in Australia at the time.

Ange’s career as a professional player started with South Melbourne FC, where he played as a defender and midfielder. The Legendary Hungarian player Ferenc Puskas was his manager.

Puskas made a big impression on Postecoglou, who was not just his skipper but also acted as his interpreter and driver at times.

Despite all he had achieved in the game, Puskas’s humility made a big impression on Postecoglou and helped shape who he is today. However, his playing career was cut short due to a persistent knee injury.

Road to Fame Story:

Following his retirement as a player, Postecoglou turned his attention to coaching. He began his coaching journey in the lower divisions of Australian soccer, working with several clubs and gaining experience.

His coaching skills and ability to develop young talent soon got recognized, and he started receiving higher-level opportunities.

Ange’s breakthrough came in 2010 when he was appointed the head coach of the Brisbane Roar in the Australian A-League.

Under his guidance, Brisbane Roar experienced a remarkable turnaround, implementing an attacking and possession-based style of play known as “Roarcelona.”

The team went on to win back-to-back A-League titles in the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 seasons, earning Ange recognition as one of the most promising coaches in Australia.

His success with Brisbane Roar led to various domestic and international coaching opportunities.

Postecoglou took charge of the Australian national team, officially nicknamed the Socceroos in 2013, leading them through the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification process. He also guided Australia to victory in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, their first-ever major international trophy.

Ange Postecoglou Biography – Rise to Fame Story:

In 2018, Ange Postecoglou left the Australian national team. So, he embarked on a new challenge by becoming the head coach of Yokohama F. Marinos in the J1 League, Japan’s top-tier soccer league.

Subsequently, in his first season with the club, he led them to their first league title in 15 years, implementing an attacking and entertaining style of play.

Afterwards, Postecoglou became the manager of the Scottish Premiership club Celtic on the 10th of June 2021, signing a 12-month rolling contract, making him the first Australian manager to coach a major club in Europe.

He was also inducted into the Football Australia Hall of Fame in 2022 and then holds the record with the Brisbane Roar for the longest undefeated streak in Australian sporting history.

Equally, on the 26th of February 2023, Ange won his second Scottish League Cup in a row after beating rivals Rangers 2–1 in the final. Similarly, on the 6th of June 2023, Postecoglou got appointed head coach of Tottenham Hotspur on a four-year contract.

Ange Postecoglou had already had a conversation with James Maddison, which played a pivotal role in James Maddison‘s decision to leave Leicester City and join Tottenham.

His appointment made him the first Australian and also Greek to manage in the Premier League. Explicitly, his passion, dedication, and ability to instil a unique style earned him a place among the most influential figures in Australian and international soccer.

Furthermore, Postecoglou has won the National Soccer League Coach of the Year, the Australian Sports Medal and the PFA Manager of the Year. In addition to winning the A-League Coach of the Year, and the PFA Manager of the Decade.

Comparatively, he also made the AFC Coach of the Year, the Scottish Premiership Manager of the Month, the PFA Scotland Manager of the Year, and the SFWA Manager of the Year.

Love Life:

While certain footballers opt to marry or commit to long-term relationships early in their careers, others prioritize their professional development before settling down.

The demanding lifestyle of a professional footballer, including rigorous training, frequent travel, and media attention, can pose distinct challenges in maintaining relationships.

Nevertheless, numerous footballers effectively manage these obstacles and find contentment in their marriages or long-term partnerships. The outcome ultimately differs for each player, contingent upon their decisions, principles, and circumstances.

According to our records, the passionate sportsman is married to his heartthrob. Ange Postecoglou is married to Georgia Postecoglou.

Their paths crossed in the 1990s at South Melbourne Soccer Club, where Postecoglou won two championships and went on to coach. He was the senior coach while she was the marketing manager.

Georgia Postecoglou:

She was a marketing manager at South Melbourne when he was the club’s manager. “Initially, she wondered why everyone around him and the club were so fascinated by and respected him, as he is not someone she would describe as charismatic or a charmer.

She didn’t get it.” But despite her initial misgivings, he soon won her round. It was only afterwards I got to understand him as a person.

Describing Georgia, Ange said: “I wouldn’t be where I am today without Georgia.” Because after he took charge of Australia’s youth side in 2000, Sadly, he got fired when they didn’t qualify for the U-20s World Cup in 2007.

According to Ange, his beautiful wife, Georgia, stood by him all through those times; they were difficult moments in his life and career. Good enough, he was able to pull through.

Postecoglou bounced back and went on to coach Australia, taking the Socceroos to the 2014 World Cup and qualifying for Russia in 2018.

Although, that meant long spells apart for the couple — and fresh challenges. During that period, Ange nearly missed the birth of one of his kids. Georgia Postecoglou is not much of a social media lady. But tries to keep it real with the fans she comes in contact with.

More about Ange Postecoglou Kids:

Ange Postecoglou and his wife have three children together. They are parents to three grown-up sons — James, Alexi and Max — and have weathered the highs and lows of Ange’s footie career.

“You would see him on the ground; he’d talk with kids. He saw how much they enjoyed what he enjoyed.” In a report, Georgia told how, in 2015, Ange nearly missed their third son’s birth, saying:

“Max came early — Ange was supposed to fly to London and I said ‘You are not leaving me, you have to change your flight’. Good a thing he obliged. So, their third Son, Max, arrived that day and left the next day.

James, their eldest child, is presently a member of the Hellenic Armed Forces (the military forces of Greece. They consist of the Hellenic Army, the Hellenic Navy, and the Hellenic Air Force).

Ange’s first Son, James Postecoglou, is stationed at Lemnos, a Greek island found in the northern Aegean Sea. It is the 8th-largest island in Greece. You would see him on the ground; he’d talk with kids. He saw how much they enjoyed what he enjoyed.

Personal Life:

As a highly committed and driven individual, Ange Postecoglou’s lifestyle predominantly revolves around soccer.

Coaching at the professional level demands a significant amount of time and dedication, often leaving little room for other hobbies or pursuits. He is known for his meticulous approach to the game, emphasizing attacking and possession-based play styles.

While soccer is his primary passion, it is not uncommon for coaches and athletes to engage in other activities for relaxation and leisure.

About his personality, the single-minded Australian with the ‘we never stop’ is exceptionally talented, a visionary, and can be deeply empathetic. Basically, he is also wholly uncompromising.

He has an almost evangelical commitment to his principles — mainly that his teams play exciting, attacking football. Here is a man who is at once hugely motivational and a great orator but remains intimidatingly distant from his players.

He is brilliant at outlining his public vision but also capable of being prickly with the media. In addition, the Aussie talent loves to spend quality time with his family. He often prioritizes rest and recovery to support his performances on the field.

Ange ensures balanced nutrition in living a healthy. He maintains a 187 lbs (85 kg) weight with a height of 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in). Like many football stars, the Virgo Zodiac maintains a social media presence to keep in touch with his rising fans.

Lifestyle:

The Aussie Legendary athlete is an accomplished Australian football (soccer) coach who has demonstrated his expertise by successfully leading numerous teams in Australia and abroad. During his coaching tenure, Ange Postecoglou achieved notable successes.

Given his accomplishments and experience in the football industry, certainly Postecoglou has earned a substantial income.

As a Professional athlete and coach, he evidently has diverse financial streams, including contracts, investments and sponsorship deals, which can contribute to his wealth.

His money affords him luxury mansions, vacations, the choicest foods, and luxury cars. Moreover, Ange Postecoglou’s mansion as Celtic boss puts a luxury £1.6m Melbourne home on the market.

The glamorous Tuscan villa-style dwelling is in Toorak’s award-winning Villaggio development.  Emphatically, the house boasts of established gardens by the renowned landscape designer Paul Bangay.

Furthermore, inside and past the intricately covered gallery at the facade, the home features elegant European interiors including vaulted ceilings, oak parquetry flooring, and an open sandstone fireplace and pillars adding to its grandeur.”

Ange Postecoglou’s Family Life:

Although, there is limited public information available about Ange Postecoglou’s family life. It is worth noting that his household plays an essential role in his career as an athlete. He receives support and encouragement from loved ones as he pursues his career.

Postecoglou has a network of family members who have played a role in his journey as a professional football player. Follow along for specific details about the Champ’s family life.

Ange Postecoglou’s Father – Jim Postecoglou:

He left Greece in 1970. His full name is Dimitris “Jim” Postecoglou. Ange’s father was strict and determined to improve his family’s life.

He left Greece when Ange was five and emigrated with his wife and two kids (Ange and his older sister Liz) to Melbourne, with a considerable Greek population.

They settled in the suburb of Prahran, now full of hipster cafes but, back then, a neighbourhood primarily for working-class immigrants.

Postecoglou senior worked hard and would leave home in the mornings before his children were awake. He would get back late, eat dinner and go to bed.

Ange found his exterior hard to penetrate. At least, until he went with him to watch South Melbourne Hellas, the local football club founded in part by Greek immigrants.

“Come the game on Sunday, he’d be a different guy,” Postecoglou said on Masterminds: High-Performance Sports. Postecoglou saw how football made his father come alive, and he knew this was his route to forming a bond with him.

Ange said in an interview that his father, who died in the same year in 2018, worked hard daily: People say they go to other countries for a better life. But, his parents did not have a better life.

They went to Australia to provide opportunities for the family to have a better life. As Father and Son, Ange and his dad had time together only during their outings to soccer games, where young Ange got a life-long “fascination” with the sport.

He said of his management, “My motivation is always to produce teams my dad would enjoy watching.” Like his father, Ange Postecoglou also grew up supporting Liverpool and AEK Athens.

Speaking of his career success, Postecoglou said: “My motivation is always to produce teams my dad would enjoy watching.”

Ange Postecoglou’s Mother – Voula Postecoglou:

Family support is crucial in the Greek football culture. Many talented players rely on their households for financial and Emotional support.

So, Parents make sacrifices, such as investing time and resources, to help their children pursue their dreams in the sport. Ange Postecoglou’s mother is no exception.

If there was any significant information about the Aussies’ mum, we would have captured it in our story. However, Postecoglou has successfully tucked away properly the details about his mother.

But then, while his father went home to work, she cared for the house, ensuring its smooth running. She never relented in supporting the dream of her only Son. Following is a photo of the dashing player’s beautiful Mama.

Ange Postecoglou Siblings – Sister (Liz):

It would be easier to provide further details about their identities if we had specific information about Brentford players’ siblings. However, Ange Postecoglou has done well to keep that detail of his life private.

Conversely, we know that Ange has no brother but an older sister named Liz. She is about five years older than her brother.

Undoubtedly, she has shown her unwavering support by gracing most of his matches. The duo share the same ethnicity and origin and bond. Following is an early picture of Liz Postecoglou.

Ange Postecoglou Relatives:

Similarly, he has kept details about his extended family members relatively private. Guess the aim is to shield his loved ones from unnecessary public scrutiny.

Without specific information about Ange Postecoglou’s relatives, like most Greeks, the relationship between family members is crucial.

Consequently, the competitive athlete has Aunts, Uncles, grandparents, Cousins, Nephews, nieces, and possibly in-laws. But then, only a little is written about them.

Untold Facts:

Ange Postecoglou played 193 senior games for South Melbourne between 1984 and 1993. He has coached South Melbourne, Australia’s youth teams, Brisbane Roar, Melbourne Victory and the Socceroos.

As a player and coach, he’s won four National Soccer League titles and two A-League championships, including the longest undefeated streak in Australia – 36 matches with the Brisbane Roar among many others.

So, in this final section of the Australian-Greek star’s Bio, we’ll unveil more truths you might need to learn about the football coach. So, without further ado, let’s begin.

Ange Postecoglou’s Salary & Net Worth:

Ange Postecoglou is an Australian soccer coach who has successfully managed various teams, including the Australian national team and several club teams in Australia and Japan.

He gained significant recognition for his achievements with the Brisbane Roar, where he won two A-League championships. In 2021, Postecoglou got appointed as the head coach of Celtic FC in Scotland.

As a successful and experienced coach, it is reasonable to assume that Ange Postecoglou receives a substantial salary for his managerial roles.

It’s not yet clear what sort of salary Postecoglou will earn at Tottenham, but it will almost certainly be an increase in his pay at Celtic.

According to sporting news, Postecoglou reportedly earned about £2.2 million ($2.8m) annually with the Scottish champions as of June 2023. The football legend’s net worth is valued at $15.8 Million as of the 9th of January, 2023.

Moreover, Ange’s team triumphed in the 2021-22 Scottish Premiership. Due to it, he is likely to earn more than £2.2 million this year. It is going to increase his overall net worth.

Ange Postecoglou Religion:

Australia’s primary faith is Christianity, with the major denominations, in order of size, being Catholic, Anglican, Uniting Church, Eastern Orthodox, Presbyterian and Reformed, Baptist and Pentecostal.

30% of the Australian population reported that they were either Anglican or Catholic in the 2021 Census. Ange Postecoglou and his family are no exceptions. Although, like most Greeks in Athens, he is also a Christian. So, he is unshaken in his belief system.

Ange Postecoglou Books:

The Aussie-Greek athlete has been at the centre of Australian football for over thirty years. Therefore, he has two books on Goodreads with 264 ratings.

Basically, Ange Postecoglou’s most popular book is Changing the Game: Football in Australia Through My Eyes, written in 2016.

In this book, he shows us the game through his eyes, from the changing room to the boardroom, to reveal how Australia must boldly reimagine its place in the world.

Summary EndNote:

Ange Postecoglou is an Australian soccer coach and former player known for his domestic and international football achievements. He was born to Jim and Voula on the 27th of August 1965 in Athens, Greece.

Nevertheless, his family immigrated to Australia when he was five years old. The Virgo zodiac is Christian. He also has a sister, Liz and is married to Georgia with 3 Sons for his marriage.

Concurrently, Postecoglou began his playing career as a defender for South Melbourne FC in the National Soccer League (NSL) in the late 1980s. In addition, he had a successful stint with the club, winning two NSL championships in 1984 and 1990.

Ange has also represented Australia at the youth level but did not earn senior international caps. After retiring as a player in 1993, Postecoglou shifted his focus to coaching.

He started his managerial career with South Melbourne FC, leading the team to back-to-back NSL championships in 1997 and 1998. His success at South Melbourne caught the attention of the Australian national team, and he was appointed head coach in 2013.

Under Postecoglou’s guidance, the Australian national team had significant achievements. He equally led the team to victory in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, where Australia hosted the tournament.

It was their first major international trophy, and Postecoglou gets praised for his attacking and possession-based style of play. Postecoglou left his position as the national team coach in 2017 and took charge of Japanese club Yokohama F. Marinos.

Comparatively, in June 2021, Ange Postecoglou emerged as the head coach of Celtic FC in Scotland, one of the most prestigious clubs in Scottish football. Furthermore, by the 1st of July, he would be Head Coach for England’s Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.

Aside from Ange Postecoglou’s Bio, we’ve got other great football Managerial Stories for your reading pleasure. The Life History of Euro 2024 winner Luis de la Fuente, Canada’s coach Beverly Priestman, Italian Montella and Vlatko Andonovski will interest you.

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