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It took Ange Postecoglou no time at all to show Tottenham's squad how he intended to rule in his new role.
The football world was keenly aware of the step up he was making at Spurs after winning back-to-back domestic doubles at Celtic. Despite dealing with the departure of Harry Kane to Bayern Munich, Postecoglou was still left with a dressing room full of big personalities and players accustomed to playing a level he was less familiar with.
But the Australian was unrelenting in his approach and showed early on that he refused to bend in terms of the standards he demanded from his team. And that came across in one pre-season exchange that ended with one player being 'dressed down' in front of the rest of the squad.
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The Evening Standard reported the incident in question came about after an unnamed 'spoke disrespectfully to a member of the medical staff' during the tour of Australia, Singapore and Spain. Details of the unloading are vague, but one can bet it was all too deliberate that the rest of the squad witnessed the waxing in full.
Postecoglou has proved to be calculated in when and how he interacts with his players, even allowing his assistants to take the reins with certain team talks so they don't 'get bored of the same voice'. The former Socceroos boss has shown his softer side in moments with the media, but it's understood that's a rarer sight at the training ground.
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Witnesses have spoken at length about Postecoglou's desire to promote humility among his squad and ensure they remain aware of the privilege they hold as professional footballers. And the rollicking in questions speaks to that side of the tactician, focused on reminding that no one person at the club is any more or less important than another.
He's believed to have delivered a similar reminder of responsibility when Yves Bissouma turned up late for pre-season training. Known to be a 'meticulous time-keeper', Postecoglou informed the Malian it wasn't what he expected from a 'potential leader' of his group, and Bissouma has since excelled to become a key cog in Spurs' XI.
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It's perhaps those kinds of ethics that have helped the club overcome Kane's absence in such smooth fashion. Tottenham are no longer so reliant on one player but now look more capable as an organism, which has led to them leading the Premier League after 10 games.
Spurs sit two points clear of north London rivals Arsenal and titleholders Manchester City ahead of the winter period. A tense London derby against Chelsea on Sunday will put those credentials to the test, but Postecoglou's ideals haven't steered the club wrong so far.
- Tottenham Hotspur FC
- Premier League
- Antonio Conte
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