Former Perth Glory chief executive Peter Filopoulos proud of long-time friend Ange Postecoglou’s success

Former Perth Glory chief executive Peter Filopoulos has hailed his long-time friend Ange Postecoglou as a visionary and praised the legacy he has left for Australian football. Postecoglou is basking in the glow of ending Tottenham’s 17-year trophy drought after overcoming a poor domestic season to steer the English Premier League side to the Europa League title. Spurs’ 1-0 win over Manchester United in Bilbao on Thursday morning WA-time was their first European trophy since 1984 and cements Postecoglou’s place in history after a trying second season in charge. Filopoulos grew up as a South Melbourne fan who idolised Postecogolou the player; he progressed from the terraces to the backroom around the same time Postocoglou transitioned into the head coaching role. Before he went on to serve as Glory’s chief executive from 2015-18, Filopoulos cut his teeth as South Melbourne’s general manager and had front-row seats to Postecoglou’s four-year tenure as coach of the National Soccer League powerhouse. Having watched Postecoglou win two grand finals, a league title and qualification to the 2000 FIFA Club World Cup during his time at Albert Park, Filopoulos said he was thrilled to see his friend triumph on one of Europe’s biggest stages. “I’ve seen him from player to coach, and have worked with him side by side. I’m delighted for him, because he’s a visionary, and he’s always setting a positive tone, always striving to rally teams around him for success,” he said. “This year, it’s been ups and downs for him and for him to get this European trophy for a club that hasn’t won anything in decades, is a testament to who he is: first and foremost, Ange Postecoglou, and also for his heritage, being a proud Greek-born Australian. “I’m proud that someone I call a friend, a former colleague, and my former idol when he was playing for South Melbourne when I was a fan on the terraces, has done so well on a global stage. “We used to spend a lot of time as colleagues and friends, talking about ambitions for Australian football, for South Melbourne, ambitions for respect for our game within our country. “We talked about how we gain respect across the world as well, and how we continue to grow the sport — that’s been his passion.” Throughout all his coaching stops, Postecoglou has brought in coaches with Australian ties into his staff; Harry Kewell, Kevin Muscat and Peter Cklamovski are among the coaches to have landed head coaching roles after working with him. Meanwhile, the current Spurs set-up includes ex-Socceroos great Mile Jedinak and former Central Coast Mariners duo Nick Montgomery and Sergio Raimundo. Filopoulos, who now serves as Football Australia’s chief customer, brand and marketing officer, said Postecoglou had never forgot where he has come from and endeavoured to give fellow Australians coaching opportunities he never had. “He’s always wanted to leave a legacy and everywhere he’s been, he’s groomed Australian coaches...he successfully has taken other people along with the journey,” he said. “He’s given other people in Australia, whether it’s a player, referee, match official, coach, they look at Ange and think ‘I can do that too; if Ange can do it. I can do it.’ As for the future, as speculation begins about whether he will stay or leave, Filopoulos said Postecoglou would not revel in the glory for too long. “He always had a lens on the future, but he never loses sight of the present. He always lives in the moment,” he said. “Is he going to leave? Is he going to stay? He’s not going to be drawn into that. If I know Ange, he would have been focusing immediately on the following things: get back to the hotel, be with his friends that traveled from Australia, his family, having a few scotches. “I think his mind now is turning to the Brighton game on Sunday.”