Ange Postecoglou reveals Celtic sliding doors moment as he stood so 'close' to landing another job

Ange Postecoglou has revealed he could have joined AEK Athens in a sliding doors moment just before Celtic came calling.

The Greek-Aussie has been a massive hit in Glasgow’s East End, making it a double by adding the Scottish Premiership title to the Premier Sports Cup he won last December.

But Postecoglou has lifted the lid on a dramatic 24 hours that could have seen him boss in Greece rather than Scotland.

The 56-year-old said: “AEK was a possibility, almost at the same time as Celtic.

“It was a sliding doors moment. At that time of year, clubs are looking for managers and we got really close.

“They went another way and literally a day after that I got a call from Peter Lawwell.

“I then had a chat with Dermot Desmond and it was done within 24 hours.

Peter Lawwell and Dermot Desmond (SNS Group)

“But that’s been my career as a manager. Things have just happened without me really seeking it.

“I have tried to do the best I can in the role I have and, by having success, opportunities come along.

“It was difficult to see myself on this side of the world.

“I had brief chats with people, but there was still no recognition of what I had achieved.

“It was going to take the stars to align for me to get an opportunity. It’s worked out and I couldn’t be happier.”

Lawwell revealed Postecoglou had been a name on the Celtic frame for three years before he was appointed.

But the manager said: “I wasn’t aware I was on Celtic’s list before that.

“The hard part for me was: How was I ever going to get this side of the world to notice somebody like me doing his stuff in leagues and countries that Europe will rarely have a look at?

“I guess the fortunate thing for me was that I was at Yokohama, who had a link with Europe by being part of the City Group.

“Again, fate put its hand in and there was a connection with Peter and Mark Lawwell, who is now coming to us.

“For someone like me to end up in a job like this, it would have to be some sort of bizarre set of circumstances for it to happen.

“I couldn’t have done any more than I’d done, to be honest. But, otherwise, I don’t think I’d have got a look-in.”