Ange Postecoglou appointed manager of Scottish giants Celtic

Ange Postecoglou has officially become manager of Scottish giants Celtic in a landmark move for an Australian coach.

Postecoglou, 55, joins Celtic after the Scottish Premiership club parted ways with Neil Lennon. 

The 2015 AFC Asian Cup winner with the Socceroos moves to Celtic after spending three seasons with Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan. 

Postecoglou won the J.League title in his second season with the club - their first Championship win in 15 years. 

Ange Postecoglou with the J1 League Championship
Ange Postecoglou with the 2019 J1 League Championship

And after Celtic missed out on the Scottish Premiership in 2020/21 for the first time in a decade, Postecoglou has been entrusted with bringing the silverware back to Celtic Park. 

"The opportunity that has been given to me is one of the greatest honours in football and the responsibility to lead our magnificent football club into the future is one that I will cherish dearly," Postecoglou said in a statement. 

“Celtic is one of THE names in world football, of that there is no doubt – a giant of a club, a proper footballing institution and so much more – real history, real substance, real authenticity and real soul. I know Celtic is a true way of life for so many people and I know the demands which come with this position – I am ready to do all I can to meet those demands.

“I will be doing everything I can to get our great Club back on top and, at the same time, deliver the kind of football which our fans appreciate. We want to entertain our fans and we want to win, these are the objectives which I always set myself and which I now begin work on."

Ange Postecoglou shares a moment with Tim Cahill after winning the 2015 AFC Asian Cup
Ange Postecoglou shares a moment with Tim Cahill after winning the 2015 AFC Asian Cup

In 2013, Steven Gerrard scored in front of 95,000 fans for Liverpool against a Postecoglou-led Melbourne Victory side. 

And now, eight years later, Postecoglou will be up against a Gerrard-managed Rangers side, which is coming off a first title win in 10 years. 

“When you think of Celtic, you think of supporters and my dream is to see our fans back at Celtic Park with us as soon as possible," Postecoglou said. "We all hope things are changing for the better and can see our fans soon as they are vital to everything I want to do. We need our supporters back by our side and I can’t wait to be with them back in a packed Paradise.

“I have already had great discussions with Peter, Dom and the Board about their ideas and strategy for the future of the club. I know the Club’s new modern vision aligns very much with mine and we now look to go and deliver on this. In everything we do we aim to give our fans a successful team of real quality, which they are excited about and can be proud of.

“We have already begun work on our plans for adding to the squad – we aim to bring players of quality to Celtic to enhance the existing core of great talent. 

“I very much look forward to meeting with the players on their return from the close season break and I can’t wait to get started as Celtic Manager.”

Ange Postecoglou poses with Brisbane Roar captain Matt McKay after winning the A-League Premiership
Ange Postecoglou poses with Brisbane Roar captain Matt McKay after winning the A-League Premiership

Postecoglou's coaching record: 

South Melbourne

  • NSL Premiership: 1997–98
  • NSL Championship: 1997–98, 1998–99
  • Oceania Club Championship: 1999

Brisbane Roar

  • A-League Premiership: 2010–11
  • A-League Championship: 2010–11, 2011–12

Australia U-17

  • OFC U-17 Championship: 2001, 2003, 2005

Australia U-20

  • OFC U-20 Championship: 2001, 2002, 2005
  • AFF U-19 Youth Championship: 2006

Australia

  • AFC Asian Cup: 2015

Yokohama F. Marinos

  • J.League: 2019

Individual Honours

  • NSL Coach of the Year: 1997–98
  • PFA Manager of the Year: 2010–11
  • A-League Coach of the Year: 2010–11
  • PFA Manager of the Decade: 2015
  • AFC Coach of the Year: 2015
Ange Postecoglou with the NSL Championship
Ange Postecoglou with the NSL Championship