Top News

Ange Postecoglou is expected to face major challenges in securing another Premier League position after his struggles with Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest, according to former Celtic striker Tony Cascarino. The Australian coach, who guided Celtic to multiple trophies during his time in Glasgow, has now emerged as one of the potential candidates to succeed Steve Clarke as Scotland manager.

Postecoglou linked with Scotland role after Clarke’s exit

Following Scotland’s disappointing group-stage elimination at the 2026 World Cup, Steve Clarke decided to step down from his post. His departure has opened the door for a new manager to take charge and lead the Tartan Army into the Euro 2028 campaign.

Reports suggest that several names are being considered for the job, with Everton’s David Moyes among the front-runners. Current Portugal coach Roberto Martinez is also in contention, though he is expected to conclude his tenure with Cristiano Ronaldo and his team after their World Cup campaign in North America comes to an end.

However, Postecoglou currently leads the betting odds for the position. Having spent two successful years in Scotland, where he won five major trophies with Celtic, he is well-acquainted with the nation’s footballing culture.

Dismissal after Tottenham trophy win and short Forest stint

Despite his impressive record in Scotland, Postecoglou found it difficult to replicate that success in England. Tottenham slipped to 17th place in the Premier League under his management, even though they celebrated Europa League success during his tenure. Matters worsened during his brief spell at Nottingham Forest, where he lasted just 39 days without recording a single victory in eight matches.

While his previous achievements still command a degree of respect, Postecoglou’s reputation in the English top flight has suffered considerably. At 60 years of age, he now faces an uphill task in convincing Premier League clubs to offer him another managerial opportunity in the near future.

Will Postecoglou return to the Premier League?

When asked whether Postecoglou could return to Premier League management despite his Celtic success, Tony Cascarino — speaking on behalf of Tonybet’s World Cup Card Collection campaign, which offers Irish participants the chance to win up to €100,000 — told GOAL: “I think it would be hard, because I think it's hard getting a Premier League job. I did predict that [Andoni] Iraola would get the Liverpool job. I thought he absolutely earned the stripes to get that opportunity.”

Cascarino continued, “Is it hard? Yes, it will be. Because I think he got unfairly criticised sometimes for just being fixated on, that's the way we play, that's the way we do it. And I think there are now owners and all the people involved in football at club level who don’t like managers like [Ruben] Amorim, who refuse to adapt.”

He added, “What’s strange is that when you take coaching courses, you’re taught that there are many different ways to win football matches — whether it’s through defensive organisation, counter-attacks, or high-intensity attacking play. I feel Ange got labelled as a bit one-dimensional, and there are others like him. If you stick to one approach and double down, those in charge at clubs don’t like it — they expect you to adapt and find what best suits the team.”

Scotland could offer Postecoglou a fresh start

During his time at Spurs and Forest, Postecoglou’s tactical philosophy came under scrutiny, with critics accusing him of being overly adventurous and deploying a high defensive line that left his teams vulnerable.

It remains uncertain when or where Postecoglou will return to management, but the Scotland national team role could present an appealing opportunity. After the challenges of club football, the former Celtic boss may be tempted by a return to the international stage, where he can rebuild and guide Scotland through a new era following their World Cup disappointment.