Ted Lasso is loved by many Aussies, but he ‘annoys’ Ange Postecoglou
Ted Lasso is the most loved fictional football manager in the world, but Ange Postecoglou cannot stand it when he is compared to the AFC Richmond boss.
Since bursting onto the English football scene with Tottenham Hotspur in 2023, Postecoglou has drawn comparison to the optimistic American football figure due to the similarities in their inspirational speeches and commitment to the game.
Lasso may be loved by fans, but Postecoglou has had enough Getty
Like Lasso, Postecoglou stepped into the Premier League as an outsider from a nation that is not well-known for being a football-driven community.
He also had to endure a large wave of doubt from the public and pundits around whether he had what it takes to work in one of the world’s biggest leagues.
But unlike Lasso, who was appointed the top job without any knowledge of the sport he was joining, football has been all Postecoglou has known his entire life.
“When I first got to the EPL, they said, ‘There’s a bit of Ted Lasso.’ But that guy came from a different code,” Postecoglou told LiSTNR’s The Howie Games.
“I’ve come from the same code, do you understand? I know it’s a different country, but football is my game. I haven’t come from cricket into football.
“That (comparison) annoys me, and because it annoys me, I didn’t watch it.”
The Australian admitted that his brother-in-law is a fan of the record-breaking Apple TV comedy, and he will, therefore, likely watch the show one day.
For now, it remains on his watch list as he continues to focus on his next journey in football management with Saudi League giants Al-Nassr.
Postecoglou’s appointment at Al-Nassr did not come without controversy, with some online accusing the Australian of accepting the deal purely for the money.
Critics also questioned Postecoglou’s desire to continue testing his abilities on football’s biggest stages, having previously taken teams like the Socceroos through the World Cup and also helmed Spurs to a European trophy.
But it was the impact he could have on Al-Nassr that got him over the line.
“I’ve always railed against people who are snobbish about certain leagues,” Postecoglou explained about his decision to move.
“… I never see things that way, I think, ‘Is there an opportunity? Can I make an impact’, and it ticked those boxed for me.
“I wanted to wait so I could do a pre-season, ideally. I met with the guys in charge, and they were keen to get me on board and felt I was a good fit.”
Cristiano Ronaldo won his first Saudi title with Al-Nassr last season. Getty Images
In joining the club, Postecoglou has taken charge of a team that includes absolute megastars including Cristiano Ronaldo, AFCON champion Sadio Mane and Joao Felix.
Ronaldo, who is nearing the final stages of his professional career, made the move all the more appealing to Postecoglou.
“I’ve been unbelievably blessed to be a part of other people’s journey,” he added.
“I have worked with the Socceroos greatest player with Tim Cahill and been a small part of his story. So, there’s no doubt that [part of the appeal is] Cristiano Ronaldo is here. You kind of go, ‘oh, I can become a small part of his story as well’.
“It’s not from a selfish point of view but just for my own kind of life journey of everything I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid.
“You get associated with these people along the way - and that was part of the attraction. I get to share the dressing room with someone who, no doubt when he is finished, his story will be told forever and one day.
“Not that they will tell my story alongside his, but I can tell that story,” Postecoglou said, laughing.
While the challenge of leading the reigning champions to defend their title will not be easy, Postecoglou is also learning to adapt to life without his family by his side.
“We are going to be living apart which is the first time we’ve done that,” he said.
“It will be a bit of a challenge, but it isn’t a long flight and we have enough breaks.
“The family is staying in London. The boys are at a great school, and my wife has really settled down. It is just important for me for them to be settled.
“It was the right decision for us when we started. I am loving coaching again and I am excited about it.”
Al-Nassr’s next match in the Saudi Pro League is scheduled to kick off at 4am on Sunday, September 6 AEST.
