Ange Postecoglou’s second season at a club has never failed to be a spectacular success.
In year two at Brisbane Roar, Postecoglou won the Australian top flight at a canter, losing just one game all season.
In Japan, his Yokohama F. Marinos flirted with relegation in his maiden season before winning their first title in 15 years the following campaign.
Even at Celtic, where Postecoglou won the title in his maiden year, the team went to new heights by storming to an historic treble.
As Tottenham prepare to get their season under way at Leicester on Monday night, the question is whether Postecoglou can again deliver glory in his second season?
The manager, always bullish, said in April that he expected to challenge for the title this term (“I hope so, or why am I doing what I’m doing?”), but it would be understandable if this project takes longer than his previous rebuilds; this is the Premier League, and winning a cup competition is a more realistic aim than a first league title since 1961.
There was enough evidence last term, though, to suggest Spurs can be a force at the top of the table, even if their spring slump was slightly alarming.
They showed glimpses of being an outstanding team on the way to a fifth-placed finish, occasionally cutting through opponents with the bravery and verve characteristic of Postecoglou sides, particularly in their 10-game unbeaten start.
Plagued by muscle injuries, which usually afflict the Australian’s teams as they adapt to his approach, Spurs could never maintain ‘Angeball’ for a full 90 minutes, and faded in the second half of the season. If they can be more robust, consistent and adaptable this one, they should be far better.
Notwithstanding Postecoglou’s bullishness, Spurs’ summer business suggests that the club may be taking a longer-term view. Summer signings Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray are outstanding prospects, but just 18, and will need to get used to the Premier League. Dominic Solanke, though, is in his prime, a proven goalscorer who should immediately make Spurs more clinical and energetic in the final third. Timo Werner divides opinion, but is a useful cog in Postecoglou’s system, his low crossing typically more deadly than his finishing.
Spurs still hope to add another winger and have been efficient in clearing the decks. Tanguy Ndombele is finally gone, so too Ryan Sessegnon, and Giovani Lo Celso is also likely to leave, bringing down the curtain on Spurs’ disastrous 2019 spending spree.
There have been changes to Postecoglou’s coaching staff, too, but this has not exactly been the transformative summer that he hinted at last season. As it stands, Solanke is the only addition to Spurs’ best side. Admittedly, what they really needed was more depth, but the most ambitious clubs improve their squads by strengthening their XIs.
The mood of fans will be interesting. Last season was almost overwhelmingly positive. Postecoglou misreading supporters’ feelings about the visit of Manchester City in May was a faultline, briefly fraying the relationship. Will either side remember if results are patchy?
Above all, fans will expect Spurs to be more consistent and make a better showing of the cups. Lifting a trophy at Wembley or in Bilbao is the obvious target, although the manager will always aim higher.
