Harry Kewell desperately wants to see Tottenham Hotspur stick with Ange Postecoglou, explaining why the Australian is capable of turning things around and silencing his critics.
Over the last few weeks reports have continued to indicate that Ange Postecoglou has to win the Europa League to save his Tottenham job beyond the end of this season.
Over recent days, some sources have suggested that Postecoglou is no longer guaranteed to even remain in charge until the summer, with some figures at Tottenham thought to be having a change of heart about the Australian.
However, one of the Spurs boss’ compatriots believes that the 59-year-old is the right man to get the Lilywhites competing for major honours.
Harry Kewell backs Ange Postecoglou to repeat Mikel Arteta trick
Kewell pointed out that Mikel Arteta was similarly written off after his first two seasons at Arsenal and suggested that Postecoglou is capable of silencing his critics like the Spaniard has over recent years.
The former Liverpool striker suggested that winning the Europa League could prove the catalyst for a Tottenham turnaround, suggesting that the former Celtic boss can get Spurs moving in the right direction.
When asked if Tottenham should keep faith in Postecoglou, Kewell told Sky Sports: “I really hope so because it’s shown even if you look at the rivals, with Arsenal and I think Mikel has done fantastic.
“He started off, even though he won the trophy [FA Cup], he started off with a bit of a poor run and words were questioned and people were talking, no, he’s not good enough. But he was allowed that time and now, he’s got a great squad, he’s been able to fulfil that and now he’s pushing for titles.
“I predict the same for Ange. He’s proven, he’s got a track record of winning stuff and if he’s given time, he will be able to bring his players in and he will be able to really cement the ideas into what he wants, into that team and be able to progress forward.”
Kewell would have loved to play for Postecoglou’s Tottenham
Kewell is following in Postecoglou’s footsteps in a way, having recently taken over his former club, Yokohama F. Marinos.
The former Premier League striker admitted that he is a big admirer of the Tottenham boss’ footballing philosophy, insisting that as a young player, he would have jumped at the chance to play for the 59-year-old.
Speaking about his compatriot’s tactical approach, Kewell said: “He’s different, he’s different. But the fact that he allows you to go out and express yourself, I mean, there were times when you’d be at training and you’d stop it and he’d be like, ‘No, let them figure it out’ because that’s what players do.
“I love the way that he coaches and I watch him now at Spurs and I just think the way he plays the game, I loved. Just a full-out attack and I would’ve loved to have played for him if I was 23.
“I would have signed up straightaway knowing that all I could do is attack. The way that I saw him work up in Scotland, I just thought, wow, that’s something I can learn throughout my coaching career to be able to manipulate certain things in that way and I think he gives you the freedom.
“But that comes with a consequence because he wants that high press, the high energy, the high work rate and again, that’s the exciting thing.”