Ange Postecoglou’s Second-Year Habit Now Heads to Al-Nassr

Ange Postecoglou has spelled out why he told Tottenham supporters he always wins trophies in his second year, tying the line directly to the double he delivered at Celtic and a career habit of landing silverware after settling in.

The Australian, now at Al-Nassr on a two-year deal, told SPL.com the declaration mattered because Spurs had gone 17 years without a major trophy and 40 without a European one. He needed people to believe change was possible.

The Line That Rattled North London

After a poor Premier League start in September 2024, Postecoglou corrected himself on camera. “I’ll correct myself, I don’t usually win things, I always win things in my second year. Nothing’s changed. I’ve said it now. I don’t say things unless I believe them.”

That quote was when people didn’t believe I could win anything because I was at a club, Tottenham, that hadn’t won anything for 17 years, hadn’t won a European trophy for 40 years. And I was in my second year.

He linked it straight to Parkhead. “When I was at Celtic, I won a double in my first year. So, I think the reason I made that statement was I wanted to make sure that people understood that I knew we could win something at Tottenham, a club that wasn’t recognised for winning things.”

He added that every season he wants trophies, yet the method counts equally. Al-Nassr later shared his words on the club’s English account emphasising how you play your football.

A Pattern That Runs Through Five Countries

The second-year claim rests on more than one club. Postecoglou has repeatedly turned early foundations into titles once his attacking style, nicknamed Angeball, takes hold.

At Australia he won the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in his second calendar year. The full managerial record and honours show the same rhythm: settle the side, then collect.

Celtic Gave Him Instant Proof

Postecoglou arrived at Celtic in June 2021 after the club lost the title to Rangers. Sceptics questioned the appointment. He answered on the pitch.

• Scottish League Cup December 2021
• Scottish Premiership May 2022 (first season double)
• Scottish League Cup February 2023
• Scottish Premiership 2022-23
• Scottish Cup June 2023 (eighth domestic treble in club history)

Five major honours in two seasons, 83 wins in 113 games. That first-year double became the reference point he later used at Spurs. Celtic’s squad building continues in other areas, including Celtic’s ongoing right-back search this summer.

Spurs Finally Got Their Trophy Then Moved On

The Europa League final on 21 May 2025 delivered the payoff. Tottenham beat Manchester United 1-0 in Bilbao. It was the club’s first major honour since the 2008 League Cup and first European trophy since the 1984 UEFA Cup. Postecoglou became the first Australian and first Greek manager to win a major European competition.

17th in the Premier League that season. 17 years without a trophy ended. Sacked on 6 June 2025, exactly two years after appointment, replaced by Thomas Frank. League form had collapsed under injuries and a high defensive line that leaked goals, yet the European run proved the declaration.

He later said the comment “wasn’t me boasting, it was a declaration” and that finishing third would not have changed the club. Only winning would. One academy graduate still linked to moves is covered in reporting on Tottenham academy product Bergvall’s path.

Thirty-Nine Days at Nottingham Forest

Postecoglou lasted 39 days at Forest after joining on 9 September 2025. Eight matches: zero wins, two draws, six defeats. A 3-0 home loss to Chelsea on 18 October dropped the side into the relegation zone. The club announced his dismissal 19 minutes after full time. It remains the shortest permanent managerial reign in Premier League history.

The Forest spell sits outside the second-year pattern. He never reached year two. The contrast sharpens the earlier Spurs claim: when given time, the trophies arrived.

Al-Nassr Starts the Clock Again

On 3 July 2026 Al-Nassr confirmed Postecoglou on a two-year contract. The club’s English account posted the two-season contract announcement with a simple welcome. He succeeds a short previous tenure and inherits Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mané, Kingsley Coman and João Félix at the reigning Saudi Pro League champions.

1. 3 July 2026, Official appointment and two-year deal announced.
2. Early July 2026, Lands in Riyadh and begins work.
3. Mid-July 2026, First media appearances stress impact and enjoyable football.
4. Present, Prepares for the new Saudi season with the same attacking principles.

“I’m super excited to be here. It’s a privilege and an honour for me to coach such a big club, and we’ll have some fun this year. We will make an impact. We’ll try and be as successful as possible and we’ll do it in a way that everyone enjoys.” The second-year clock is already running in Riyadh.

Style Still Comes First

Postecoglou keeps repeating that trophies matter but so does the manner of winning. High press, inverted full-backs, relentless forward play. That approach won him admirers at Celtic and produced memorable Spurs nights even when league results collapsed. At Al-Nassr the same ideas meet a star-heavy squad and different tactical demands. Supporters on X have already begun joking about whether the second-year guarantee travels to the Gulf. The historical record suggests he will give it every chance.

The pattern is clear enough. Foundations first, silverware second, then the next challenge. Celtic proved the method works at a big club. Tottenham proved it works even when the league table says otherwise. Al-Nassr now gets the next chapter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What trophies did Ange Postecoglou win at Celtic?

He secured two Scottish Premiership titles, two Scottish League Cups and one Scottish Cup across the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, completing a domestic treble in his final campaign and finishing with five major honours in 113 matches.

When did Tottenham last win a major trophy before Postecoglou?

Tottenham’s previous major honour was the 2007-08 Football League Cup; their previous European trophy dated to the 1983-84 UEFA Cup, making the 2025 Europa League the end of a 17-year overall drought and a 41-year European gap.

What was Postecoglou’s record at Nottingham Forest?

He managed eight matches between 9 September and 18 October 2025, recording zero wins, two draws and six defeats before being sacked 19 minutes after a 3-0 home loss to Chelsea, the shortest permanent Premier League managerial tenure on record at 39 days.

Does the second-year trophy pattern hold across his whole career?

Yes at multiple clubs: South Melbourne NSL titles in seasons two and three, Brisbane Roar championships in his second and third campaigns, Yokohama J1 title in year two, Celtic silverware both seasons, and the Europa League in year two at Tottenham; the Forest stint never reached a second year.