Ange Postecoglou insists he has “no idea” about reports claiming the Tottenham boss is a contender to take charge of England.
The Football Association have started their search for a new manager following Gareth Southgate’s decision to end his eight-year reign on Tuesday in the aftermath of last weekend’s Euro 2024 final defeat against Spain.
Postecoglou has joined England Under-21s coach Lee Carsley, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, former Chelsea bosses Mauricio Pochettino and Graham Potter and ex-Bayern Munich chief Thomas Tuchel on the FA’s list of potential candidates.
After a largely impressive first season with Tottenham, who finished fifth in the Premier League, the attack-minded Postecoglou would be an intriguing choice to replace Southgate, who was widely criticised for his cautious tactics.
However, the 58-year-old stressed his attention remains on Tottenham, who opened their pre-season with a 5-1 win at Scottish Premiership side Hearts on Wednesday. “I am at the start of pre-season and am the Tottenham manager, so I have got nothing else (on my mind) but trying to bring success to this football club,” Postecoglou said.
“Until I do that, there is no point in me thinking about anything else. “I had a nap this afternoon, so I have no idea what is going on (with the speculation).”
Postecoglou coached Australia from 2013 to 2017 – taking them to the 2014 World Cup – and twice won the Scottish Premiership with Celtic before moving to Tottenham in 2023.
Asked if he would consider a return to an international job, Postecoglou said: “I enjoyed my time (with Australia). I had four great years.”
‘In the future, who knows?’
He added: “We won the Asia Cup and qualified for the World Cup, but with all these things there is always a natural end, and I thought it was a natural end for me there.
“I loved coaching the national team. In the future, who knows? Five years ago I was in Japan, and now I am in the Premier League.”
Meanwhile, Potter refused to confirm if he would be willing to take the England job after a disappointing spell with Chelsea.
The 49-year-old has been out of the game since his sacking by the Blues in April 2023 after less than seven months in charge.
He rose to prominence at Swedish side Ostersund, who he led from the fourth tier to European qualification, before joining Swansea for the 2018-19 season.
Potter’s impressive work in three years at Brighton earned his ultimately unsuccessful move to Stamford Bridge. Quizzed on Thursday about his interest in succeeding Southgate, Potter told the BBC: “I don’t think today is the day to speak about that.
“I think Gareth has done a fantastic job. I don’t think there’s anybody in the country that is more respected in football than Gareth.
“I have a huge respect for him. Today is the day to wish him a nice break, because he’s earned that, and I wish him well whatever
he does in the next part of his career.”
England’s first match after the Euros comes on September 7 when they face the Republic of Ireland in the Nations League.
The FA could appoint Carsley as an interim manager if they have not found a permanent successor to Southgate by the time they play Ireland.
