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Changing the Game: Football in Australia Through My Eyes
Ange Postecoglou has been at the centre of football in this country for more than thirty years. In this book, he shows us the game through his eyes, from the changing room to the boardroom, to reveal how Australia must boldly reimagine its place in the world.
From his playing days with South Melbourne in the 1980s to coaching the Socceroos to victory in the 2015 Asian Cup, Ange Postecoglou's uncompromising commitment to success has coincided with the incredible rise of football in this country.
He won the old National Soccer League as a player and a coach. Now that Australian football is reaching new heights, Ange is again at the forefront: he's won back-to-back A-League titles, led the Brisbane Roar to the longest unbeaten run in any code, and the national team to the winner's podium. He's a man with strong opinions about how to play and lead.
Ange's story is one of fostering a culture of success, and turning history - or precedent - on its head. He candidly relays key moments and meetings in his life, reflecting on how these have shaped his beliefs and practices, and gives frank views on where the current game is going right and wrong. What's revealed is a bold and impassioned account of the game he loves
- GenresFootballNonfictionSports
204 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 3, 2016
21 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 12, 2016
Despite the fascinating look at Postecoglou's childhood and relationship with his father in the opening chapter, this is not an autobiography; nor does it claim to be one.
Instead, this book is essentially a collection of Postecoglou's opinions and criticisms of a range of topics across Australian football, including the need for better marketing and support for the game, why the NSL failed, the lack of belief in Australian coaches and methods, and the current standard of youth development, among many other key issues.
Also discussed is the important role football has played in helping immigrants from diverse backgrounds to adjust to life in Australia - a topic of particular interest to me, given that I wrote my PhD thesis on it. Postecoglou is an immigrant, and the sport obviously has had a profound impact on his life; the impact it had on his father's settlement experience, and the relationship between father and son, is perhaps even grander.
It should be noted that this book is not really aimed at someone who has only recently taken an interest in football. Newcomers may find themselves lost at times - for them, I'd perhaps recommend reading other books on Australian football before approaching this one.
Postecoglou has a reputation as someone who suffers neither fools nor failure, and that certainly comes across in this book. While not exactly controversial or explosive, it is quite candid and no doubt will have ruffled a few feathers. His assessment of the 'new football' era, compared to 'old soccer', is refreshingly quite even-handed despite his position as Socceroos coach.
The book does not attempt to discuss key moments in Postecoglou's career at particularly great length, which is a bit disappointing. For example, both the 2014 World Cup finals and the 2015 Asian Cup are mentioned only briefly, and then it is largely only in terms of Postecoglou's preparation and mentality. Perhaps those stories will be saved for the eventual autobiography.
The other issue I had with this book is that Postecoglou's ghost writer, football pundit Andy Harper, has a unique, verbose style, and at times it does seep into the narrative. In those moments it felt like I was reading Harper's words, not Postecoglou's, and it did detract from the experience - especially given that this is a book of (strong) opinions rather than life events.
Nonetheless, I would recommend this book for any fan of football, particularly if they have a solid understanding of the recent history of the sport in Australia. Postecoglou's opinions certainly make for compelling reading. Regardless of whether you agree with him or not, this book should stimulate plenty of thought and discussion about where the game is headed.
Instead, this book is essentially a collection of Postecoglou's opinions and criticisms of a range of topics across Australian football, including the need for better marketing and support for the game, why the NSL failed, the lack of belief in Australian coaches and methods, and the current standard of youth development, among many other key issues.
Also discussed is the important role football has played in helping immigrants from diverse backgrounds to adjust to life in Australia - a topic of particular interest to me, given that I wrote my PhD thesis on it. Postecoglou is an immigrant, and the sport obviously has had a profound impact on his life; the impact it had on his father's settlement experience, and the relationship between father and son, is perhaps even grander.
It should be noted that this book is not really aimed at someone who has only recently taken an interest in football. Newcomers may find themselves lost at times - for them, I'd perhaps recommend reading other books on Australian football before approaching this one.
Postecoglou has a reputation as someone who suffers neither fools nor failure, and that certainly comes across in this book. While not exactly controversial or explosive, it is quite candid and no doubt will have ruffled a few feathers. His assessment of the 'new football' era, compared to 'old soccer', is refreshingly quite even-handed despite his position as Socceroos coach.
The book does not attempt to discuss key moments in Postecoglou's career at particularly great length, which is a bit disappointing. For example, both the 2014 World Cup finals and the 2015 Asian Cup are mentioned only briefly, and then it is largely only in terms of Postecoglou's preparation and mentality. Perhaps those stories will be saved for the eventual autobiography.
The other issue I had with this book is that Postecoglou's ghost writer, football pundit Andy Harper, has a unique, verbose style, and at times it does seep into the narrative. In those moments it felt like I was reading Harper's words, not Postecoglou's, and it did detract from the experience - especially given that this is a book of (strong) opinions rather than life events.
Nonetheless, I would recommend this book for any fan of football, particularly if they have a solid understanding of the recent history of the sport in Australia. Postecoglou's opinions certainly make for compelling reading. Regardless of whether you agree with him or not, this book should stimulate plenty of thought and discussion about where the game is headed.
October 1, 2023
I read this book and decided you would be the opposite of Conte and let’s be honest that was not a good time, so thank you for accepting the job at our historic business, erm football club.
-Coys, Daniel
-Coys, Daniel
December 30, 2023
I'm loving Big Ange instead! Great insight into his philosophy on coaching and leadership. He is driven and proven to succeed with every opportunity he has got in his coaching career. I'm glad to see his has finally landed his dream big job with Tottenham. It is fully deserved and looking to be paying off instantly with a lot of principles mentioned in this book. 5/5 for any Ange fan and a must read for any Spurs supporter. Just when I thought I couldn't love this man any more, I discovered this and crushed it within a day. COYS
July 11, 2023
I'm ready to be hurt again.
March 13, 2017
I devoured this book in one weekend, which says a lot to its ability in keeping me interested. I was once again ashamed at the level of ignorance I had displayed to the game I love; this time to the coach of Australia’s national team. I had no idea of his background prior to him coaching at Brisbane and what sort of man he really is.
As you’d expect, the book details Ange’s background from migrating to Australia at the age of 5, to today, where he is head coach of the Socceroos. It’s not an autobiography though. The book is about Ange’s philosophy and approaches to life, leadership, coaching and above all else his passion for the game.
This is a polarising book, which aligns nicely with Ange’s personality. Love it or hate it. His way or the highway. With plenty of real world examples featuring household footballing names to keep you interested, Ange takes you through the main issues facing football in Australia and what he believes should be done about it.
As you’d expect, the book details Ange’s background from migrating to Australia at the age of 5, to today, where he is head coach of the Socceroos. It’s not an autobiography though. The book is about Ange’s philosophy and approaches to life, leadership, coaching and above all else his passion for the game.
This is a polarising book, which aligns nicely with Ange’s personality. Love it or hate it. His way or the highway. With plenty of real world examples featuring household footballing names to keep you interested, Ange takes you through the main issues facing football in Australia and what he believes should be done about it.
April 4, 2017
As a Brisbane Roar supporter, I am a massive Ange Postecoglou fan so his insights into Australia's football culture and his management style was intriguing to me. This book offers some excellent insights and demands the attention of those making decisions on behalf of the world game in this country. There are also a number of fascinating stories that teach us about what makes Postecoglou so special. It's slightly repetitive in parts but you can hear Postecoglou in every line.
February 7, 2019
A great insight into football in Australia with Ange. Also an exclusive view of being the number one coach in the country and what’s required. Well written, was a page turning non-function. Thanks Ange and Andy.
April 8, 2023
A must read for any Australian football fan (or Celtic supporter these days). Ange really opens up in this book and you get a real appreciation for the man he is and why he's so passionate about the game.
May 31, 2017
Shares some of his family's history and provides some interesting insights into football in Australia.
January 23, 2020
Great book about Australian football and its migrant roots.
June 17, 2020
Good broad overview of Ange’s very ardent philosophy, would have loved to hear more detail about his coaching practice
September 12, 2022
oh
oh oh oh
oh oh oh
Ange Postecoglou
oh oh oh
oh oh oh
Ange Postecoglou
August 13, 2023
A brilliant insight in to the mind of one of footballs greatest managers.
October 30, 2016
Many fans (like me) will buy this book expecting it to be a biography and will be disappointed (like me) when they realise it is not. However, the book needs to be appreciated in its own proper context which is pretty much a monograph on Australian football - its failures, occasional triumphs and massive potential.
There are occasional references to episodes of Ange's life but they are always thematic - to illustrate his central argument on what is needed to unlock football's potential and take it to the forefront of Australia's sporting landscape.
There is a lot here about Ange's approach to coaching and some good insights into his experience with the players and how he inspired them to lift for the World Cup, and in particular the Asian Cup. The way he manages player expectation and keeps them non-complacent is especially interesting.
The main lasting impression for me is the depth of Ange's passion for the National Team and his visionary approach to guiding its path up the mountain to World Cup qualification and beyond. He is absolutely the right man to be coach of Australia.
There are occasional references to episodes of Ange's life but they are always thematic - to illustrate his central argument on what is needed to unlock football's potential and take it to the forefront of Australia's sporting landscape.
There is a lot here about Ange's approach to coaching and some good insights into his experience with the players and how he inspired them to lift for the World Cup, and in particular the Asian Cup. The way he manages player expectation and keeps them non-complacent is especially interesting.
The main lasting impression for me is the depth of Ange's passion for the National Team and his visionary approach to guiding its path up the mountain to World Cup qualification and beyond. He is absolutely the right man to be coach of Australia.
February 7, 2017
Great Book
One of the most logical and structured assessments of Australian Football and the way forward, a story told with passion for a game that embodies it.
One of the most logical and structured assessments of Australian Football and the way forward, a story told with passion for a game that embodies it.
December 6, 2016
Brilliant!
A fantastic read about football in Australia by two very astute football experts. I could hang out with Ange and Andy for hours talking about this stuff.
A fantastic read about football in Australia by two very astute football experts. I could hang out with Ange and Andy for hours talking about this stuff.
January 16, 2017
For those interested in what makes the current Socceroos coach tick or football in Australia in general.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews