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Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou says Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskas helped shape his coaching career

Marco MonteverdeNCA NewsWire
Ange Postecoglou in action for the Ferenc Puskas-coached South Melbourne.
Camera IconAnge Postecoglou in action for the Ferenc Puskas-coached South Melbourne. Credit: Herald Sun

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has hailed the influence Hungarian great Ferenc Puskas had on his coaching career ahead of the Hoops’ crucial Europa League clash against Ferencvaros.

Postecoglou, who was coached by Puskas at South Melbourne in the old National Soccer League from 1989 to 1992, said the Real Madrid legend held a “very dear place” in his heart.

“There have been varying influences in the way I look at football and the predominant one was my father but Ferenc was one of the most significant influences,,” former Socceroos boss Postecoglou said on the eve of Celtic’s do-or-die clash against the Hungarian champions.

“From the moment he wandered through he was just humble.

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“We were constantly pestering him to tell us stories about Real Madrid, what he did at Hampden, what he did at Wembley.

“He was forever downplaying everything and it just showed you the greatness of the man was just his humility.”

Being able to speak Greek helped Postecoglou forge a strong relationship with Puskas, who had previously had a coaching spell in the 1970s with heavyweight Greek club Panathinaikos.

“When he came to Australia his English wasn’t great but ... his Greek was decent, so I acted almost as an interpreter,” Postecoglou said.

“I used to pick him up from his house and drive him to training in my crappy old car, which I was embarrassed about.

“We swapped many stories and his philosophy to football was basically just go out there and enjoy yourselves and score goals.

“We (South Melbourne) won a championship with him and part of the reason we won was the atmosphere within the group, because nobody wanted to let him down – he was just a great man.

“(He) was pretty strong in terms of showing me that as a leader, people you are working with need to believe in you as much as your ideas.

“That was certainly really evident with the atmosphere he created at training and at the club.

“I was really sad when he passed away because when he left Australia I wasn’t able to reconnect with him – I would have loved to thank him personally for the influence he was, as a man as much as he was as a coach.”

1990. South Melbourne's Ange Postecoglou. Soccer. Neg: 900430/225. PICTURE: CRAIG BORROW Picture: Photo File
Camera IconAnge Postecoglou in action for the Ferenc Puskas-coached South Melbourne. Credit: Herald Sun

Celtic’s hopes of progressing into the Europa League knockout stage are set to hinge on the result of Wednesday morning’s Parkhead clash, which brings together the two Group G teams without a point after two matches.

Another loss to either side will likely end their chances of progressing out of the group stage.

“There is no shying away from it – we need a win,” Postecoglou said.

“We know they will be a good challenge for us. They are a good team.”

Originally published as Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou says Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskas helped shape his coaching career

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