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Ange Postecoglou Tributes have been paid to Bill Nicholson on the 20th anniversary of the former Tottenham manager’s death, saying he left an “ultimate legacy”.
Nicholson won eight major trophies during his 16-year tenure at Spurs and was also a player in the 1951 First Division title win.
Postecoglou was only nine years old when Nicholson left Tottenham in 1974, but he is well aware of his achievements and can still feel his impact on the club half a century after his tenure as manager.
“I’ve always had a real fascination with great managers and he’s definitely one of them,” Postecoglou said of Nicholson ahead of Thursday’s Europa League home clash with AZ Alkmaar.
“You always obviously measure it by their success and that’s an obvious way to look at a manager’s tenure, but legacy is far more important.
“He is one of those personalities like very few who left an indelible mark that will be here forever, because it was not just about winning. It was how he lived, the way he carried himself, the kind of person he was and things like that I often say are more important than achievements.
“I would say he has really left the ultimate legacy, because I think in many ways how the club is defined and wants to be defined depends largely on the qualities and values he brought.
“It’s been 20 years since he passed away, but time has certainly not diminished his impact and you still feel it today.
People talk about my high ideology, but look at the Dutch in 1974 and you’ll see something even more radical than me. I’ve found a little way
Ange Postecoglou
“I’ve said it before that I feel like there’s a fit between what the club wants to be and who I am and what I’ve been.
“I think it definitely helps me because while I’m unwavering in my belief going forward, I’d like to think it’s aligned with what the club wants and I’m humbled to say that. “Not going against.”
The visit to AZ also brought back childhood memories for Postecoglou, who was impressed by the great Netherlands team that finished runner-up at the 1974 World Cup.
He reflected: “Great impact. The whole ‘Total Football’ era was when I first fell in love with the game.
“And the 74th World Cup, perhaps the pinnacle of ‘Total Football’, was also Australia’s first time at the World Cup – at 2am I was watching a grainy black and white TV and I was mesmerized by the way dutch Know your football.
“I think Johan Cruyff was brilliant in many ways, not only as a footballer but also as a football thinker, so he had a huge influence. This thing spread in Australian football.
“We have guus hiddinkWhich took us to the next World Cup and many Dutch coaches have come from there. It has had a deep impact.
“People talk about my high ideology, but look at the Dutch in 1974 and you will see something even more radical than me. I’ve found some way.”
Spurs will be without captain son hyung-min against AZ after missing training on Wednesday due to muscle soreness.
richardson He is expected to make his first start of the season after a long-term calf problem, but fit-again Wilson Odobert will likely have to make his way on the bench.