Ange Postecoglou sets Tottenham a lofty target for next season
The Australian arrived from Celtic last summer with a reputation for playing an ultra-attacking style of football, which had helped him claim five trophies in two years in Scotland.
He inherited a Spurs squad desperately needing a reset after missing out on European football while shuffling through Antonio Conte, Cristian Stellini and Ryan Mason in the dugout.
Postecoglou immediately got his players to buy into his gung-ho football. His aggressive style paid dividends, with Tottenham climbing to the top of the Premier League table.
However, suspensions and injuries to key players scuppered their hopes of staying there. Postecoglou did not panic, and his team could still finish in the top four.
Despite this, the defiant Australian wants more. Ahead of their recent match against West Ham United, he was asked whether Spurs will challenge for the title next season.
“I hope so, or why am I doing what I'm doing?” Postecoglou said. “That's why I came to the club. As somebody said to me last week, 'Just do your job, Ange,' and my job is to come here and try to bring success. If you don't think you're going to be in the title race in 12 months, then I don't know why I'm here.”
While Postecoglou's attacking brand of football has revitalised the club, it is debatable whether his lofty ambitions are realistic.
On their day, Spurs can be a rapacious force capable of obliterating any opponent that stands in their way. The early season dominance hinted at a potential title challenge.
However, injuries and a lack of squad depth derailed their momentum, pushing them realistically into the fight for a top-four finish. This reality check highlights the biggest obstacle to Postecoglou's vision – the gap between Spurs and the established elite.
Manchester City and Liverpool are dominant forces in the Premier League, while Arsenal are threatening to upset the status quo. They all have world-class talent across the pitch and players who can make a massive impact from the bench.
Spurs also have quality players such as Heung-min Son and James Maddison but lack the depth and experience to compete with the established juggernauts.
Joining a title challenge hinges on a major investment in the squad. However, chairman Daniel Levy has a reputation for financial prudence and will be reluctant to splash out on the big-money signings that could take Spurs to the next level.
This financial constraint makes it difficult to see them bridging the gap between City and Liverpool in a single transfer window.
Sleeping giants Chelsea and Manchester United could wake up and make Spurs fifth or even sixth favourites for the title come next season despite what the Aussie manager believes.
Even the most optimistic punters in Australia will have second thoughts about their compatriot’s lofty ambitions and his team's chances of clinching their first title in over three decades.
Betting sites in Australia are likely to share that sentiment even though Spurs fans may be harbouring faint hopes of a miraculous triumph. For supporters who feel bullish, casino.com provides all the information needed regarding sports betting.
While the bookies will be happy to wager against Spurs, underestimating Postecoglou's impact would be a mistake. The former Yokohama F Marinos coach has instilled a well-grounded philosophy and a belief that was sorely lacking at Spurs last season.
He has also won everywhere he has coached and believes he will do the same with Tottenham. Another full pre-season with this squad coupled with some strategic acquisitions that address weaknesses could propel them closer to the top.
Ultimately, it may be hard for Postecoglou to bring his ambitions to fruition at Tottenham, but his words can serve as a rallying cry and a blueprint for the future.
He needs to find a way to convince Levy to loosen the purse strings and build on the existing foundations. Only then will a sustained title challenge become a possibility.
The top priority for Postecoglou in the transfer market will be finding a striker to replace England captain Harry Kane, who left for Bayern Munich last summer.
Son has done a terrific job as captain and at centre-forward, but a world-class number nine could be the missing ingredient to take this Tottenham squad to the next level.
For now, a strong top-four finish coupled with a savvy transfer window would be a crucial step towards Postecoglou's audacious vision.