Postecoglou: “We are different with Arteta, he has been a coach for five years, I am 26”

On Sunday (September 24th) Arsenal and Tottenham will meet at the Emirates on matchday 6 of the Premier League in what is expected to be an exciting London derby.

At the press conference, Angelos Postecoglou referred to his coaching career and emphasized that he would be happy with his career even if he did not get promoted to the top league in the world.

He then tried to refute the narrative that coaches tend to spend time together, referencing Mikel Arteta who spoke of their similarities.

“I don’t mean to belittle people, they just hadn’t heard of me before. They looked at me with expressionless faces. They were waiting for someone who would make a fool of his reputation, But they only had me, someone they didn’t know belonged to the world of football, let alone was a candidate to take over a team.

But that’s okay, this is my journey. I don’t say this to make people think “woe”. I love my journey. It made me the person I am today. I had incredible experiences.

Yes, I didn’t think I would make it to the top league, but if I didn’t, it wouldn’t affect my life and career. I would still feel like I accomplished everything I wanted because I left my mark everywhere I went. That’s the only thing you can control. In that sense it is just part of my journey.

Postecoglou was asked if he was similar to Arteta, as they both shared views on attacking football, and if he was close to the Gunners manager.

“No, we’re not close. The football world is funny. You think we have so much free time to hang out and talk to other coaches. That’s not true.”

As for the similarities. I’m 58, that’s all. I’ve been a coach for 26 years, he’s been a coach for five. He trained in one country, I trained in several countries. I’m not sure she has nice hair. He is much fitter than me. I don’t know, man, there’s not a lot of things I can relate to.

I wouldn’t say we’re against it. We are different. Also in the way his team plays. Yes, he has a very aggressive philosophy, but it’s different from mine and that’s the beauty of the game.

That’s what you love about football. That’s why you can’t copy. If you’re an artist and you see a Picasso painting, you can copy it, but it won’t be like Picasso.

It’s the same with football. You can see someone do something really well, but bring their own personality to it.

I admire him for how he managed it and how he pushed through his beliefs. It’s an honor for him.