BAPTISM OF FIRE
With a new manager installed who conveys every impression he actually wants to be at their club and isn’t just doing them a favour, most Tottenham fans are approaching the season with cautious optimism. It’s true plenty are concerned that Ange Postecoglou has never worked in the Premier League, but the no-nonsense Aussie has been a huge success at home, in Japan and up the road at Celtic, and has almost certainly earned his crack at a club where proven, big-name, elite-level managers such as Antonio Conte and José Mourinho have recently failed. In the time since Spurs last won a competition and the silverware that goes with it, north London’s new larrikin has masterminded various teams, including the flamin’ Socceroos, to victory in nine.
Since his appointment more than a month ago, Postecoglou has been keeping a low profile, getting his feet under the desk at Spurs’ well-appointed Enfield training complex, putting some of his new charges through their pre-season paces and popping out to the home of cricket to see his nation’s players subject Jonny Bairstow to questionable, if not downright unfair dinkum at Lord’s. On Monday he faced the ladies and gentlemen of the press for the first time and it was no surprise that one of the main orders of business was the future of Harry Kane. Earlier in the day, it had been reported that Spurs are likely to knock back Bayern Munich’s latest offer for the England striker after the Bundesliga champions offered them €80m, an increase on their previous bid.
While Kane has not ruled out the possibility of seeing out the final year of his contract, he is believed to be extremely tempted by the possibility of getting to prance around in lederhosen and a Tyrolean hat while chugging down a giant stein of Bavarian foaming shaft in the traditional style, when Bayern win the German title again next year. “No, I haven’t had any assurances and I wouldn’t expect any assurances,” parped Postecoglou, upon being asked if he had any assurances or would expect any assurances about the future of the 29-year-old, who is expected to report back for duty on Wednesday following his hols. “I don’t think it is my role to sit there and sort of treat people in a manner because of their circumstances. I am big on treating everyone the same. Harry is already part of the history of this club and I want him involved. My conversation with him will be about how we can make this club successful and that is what he wants as well. I want to introduce myself to Harry, give him my vision, get an understanding from him over what his vision is and try to be successful.”
With the transfer window not due to close until just over a fortnight before traditional Wiesn tapping for the 188th Oktoberfest, we may be forced to wait some time to discover whether Kane’s vision involves a night out walking his Labradors around the lager-sodden Theresienwiese fairground or lining up against Sheffield United at White Hart Lane. As part of his message to his players, Postecoglou added that “it’s about who wants to get on this train so we can get to our destination”. Tottenham fans remain hopeful Kane will still be on board when it leaves the station, with the first stop being Brentford in approximately one month’s time.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“It’s little old Larne but it’s a massive achievement … I think this tops [playing in Big Cup for Arsenal] because at clubs like [them] you get that every year [apart from the last six – Football Daily Ed], but this is such a massive thing for the club and the town. I love it here. People around the town are just really great. After games we’ll go and have a beer with the fans and it’s just little things like that that make a massive difference” – midfielder Mark Randall reckons his career highlight will be representing the Northern Irish town of 18,000 people against HJK Helsinki in Big Cup on Wednesday – and having some Tin afterwards – not playing for the Gunners 15 years ago in the same competition.
FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS
Your lamenting the lack of ‘old school’ pre-season training (Friday’s Football Daily) reminded me of Kieran Trippier’s rude awakening when he joined up with Cholo Simeone’s school of football” – Rob Ford.
Paddy Viner’s enquiry about crashing through the grass ceiling (Friday’s Football Daily letters) has been used by copywriters in New Zealand this weekend. A woman has won the ‘Young Farmer of the Year’ title for the first time in the competition’s 50 or so years of existence. Keep up the work” – David Parsons.
Ed Taylor suggests Fawlty Towers as amelioration should your club appoint Michael Owen as a manager (Friday’s letters). I think you’d probably need that episode of Spaced where they all took ecstasy” – Jon Millard.
Send your letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s winner of our prizeless letter o’ the day is … Rob Ford.
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