You have to admire for one thing above all else: his ability to sell a message. The Australian has a gift for persuasion that would make proud.
Put him in front of a crowd and he could convince half of them of just about anything. Accuracy sometimes feels secondary to conviction.
His recent appearance on the was a case in point. Top level managers are rarely short on self belief, and that self belief often fuels their success, but Postecoglou operates on another level entirely.
Originally booked to record an episode for release next week, he ended up addressing breaking developments instead after dismissed . The timing allowed him to revisit familiar territory and reflect on his former club, all while delivering his verdict with barely concealed satisfaction.
Tottenham were criticised for failing to match his ambition and for not embracing what he considers the standards of a truly elite institution. At the same time, he made no attempt to downplay his own achievements. Yes, he guided Spurs to the Europa League title, but listening to him you might think he had completed a clean sweep of every major sporting prize on the planet.
Perspective is important. Any English side that shifts focus from the league to prioritise the Europa League would expect to go deep into the competition, particularly given the calibre of opposition they faced on the way to the final. Still, he set out to win silverware and delivered on that promise.
If the intention was to boost his chances of landing another Premier League post, the approach may have misfired. Chairmen tend to be wary of managers who air grievances in public, especially when there have already been turbulent exits elsewhere.
As for a return to , it feels improbable this summer. Postecoglou is not known for retracing his steps, and some of the frustrations he voiced about Spurs were also present during his time in Glasgow. His ambition is relentless, and anyone perceived to be slowing progress is unlikely to last long in his orbit.
Had Spurs not come calling, he may well have found himself in a similar position to last year, weighing up his options. It is also no secret that elements within the Celtic hierarchy were less than impressed with how his departure unfolded.
Given the boardroom tensions that surfaced after Rodgers’ exit, it is difficult to imagine the club appointing another manager who demands constant backing and sweeping change, particularly without significant restructuring behind the scenes.
Yet there is an argument that the very traits that make a reunion unlikely are precisely why it could make sense. Postecoglou thrives on high standards and forward momentum. He pushes for decisive action in the transfer market and rarely hesitates to move players on when the moment is right.
Under his watch, sentiment rarely trumped strategy. When Josip Juranovic and Giorgos Giakoumakis signalled a desire to leave, deals were concluded swiftly. It is fair to wonder whether certain current players would still be at the club if he were still in charge.
Martin O’Neill deserves enormous credit for keeping Celtic competitive domestically and in Europe, and the immediate focus remains on the present campaign. However, challenges loom on the horizon at Parkhead and meaningful change may soon be required.
If that moment arrives, some will argue there is no better figure to jolt the club out of its comfort zone than a manager with the confidence, force of personality and track record to match his bold rhetoric.