Ange Postecoglou excited for reunion with ‘kindred spirit’ Fabian Huerzeler

LONDON – Ange Postecoglou jokingly mentioned on Oct 4 that he had to slightly "distract" the eager Fabian Huerzeler when the current Brighton & Hove Albion manager shadowed him for a day at Tottenham Hotspur in 2023.

The 31-year-old German, who was appointed in June, is the youngest-ever permanent manager of an English Premier League team – nearly half the age of the 59-year-old Postecoglou.

Huerzeler, who has impressed so far, will be hoping to put some of his insider knowledge to use on Oct 6 when his Brighton team host Spurs in their league clash.

“He spent a day with us last year,” Tottenham boss Postecoglou said.

“He asked a lot of questions, I gave him too many answers, for sure. I actually palmed him off at one stage because he was asking too many (questions), so I passed him to the other coaches.

“He was inquisitive about everything. He was already a senior manager (in Germany), doing a good job, and the fact that he still wanted to ask questions... he made a real impression on everyone.”

Postecoglou was asked whether he would have extended the invitation to Tottenham’s training ground had he known that Huerzeler would be a rival this season.

“Yes, mate, I would’ve done,” he said. “There’s nothing wrong with being a nice person.

“If somebody comes and knocks on your door and wants a cup of tea as a kindred spirit you let him in your house mate. He’s not going to take the furniture or steal the cutlery. You kind of trust that.”

The Australian also praised close-season signing Dominic Solanke following the former Bournemouth forward’s recall to the England squad seven years after his sole international appearance.

“Dom’s had to work awfully hard in his career,” Postecoglou said. “It’s a salient point for all young players that the (career) trajectory doesn’t always go in a linear fashion.

“He started at big clubs, was a youth international, made an impact but for one reason or another, didn’t get started.”

Solanke has scored two goals in his last two league games and would be a threat to Brighton.

Captain Son Heung-min, meanwhile, is unlikely to be available for the trip to the south coast, where Spurs are seeking a fourth win in seven matches.

The South Korea international, substituted with a hamstring injury during Tottenham’s Europa League clash with Qarabag last week, was absent during the team’s victories over Manchester United and Ferencvaros.

Defender Destiny Udogie, who missed the midweek 2-1 Europa League win at Ferencvaros due to a right quad injury he suffered during their 3-0 win at United last weekend, is expected to return.

“Sonny is unlikely, he’s pushing hard, but the turn around might be too quick for him to be available at this stage,” Postecoglou confirmed.

“We’re all good after last night (in Hungary), tired, but physically no issues. Destiny we think will be okay. We train today and tomorrow, so he has to get through that.”

The Korea Football Association also said on Oct 4 that Son has been dropped from the 26-man squad for the third round of World Cup qualifiers to protect the player’s health. South Korea play Jordan on Oct 10 and Iraq on Oct 15.

In the Brighton camp, Huerzeler has shared his views about Postecoglou after his short day with the Spurs boss.

“I respect him a lot. The identity of Tottenham and the style of play is impressive, but also as a person,” he said.

“He’s a very humble, very polite person and I’m really looking forward to meeting him and competing against him.

“We have to defend better than against Chelsea (4-2 loss). I think that’s the main thing. But it’s also about being brave in possession. In possession we made a good game against Chelsea and we have to continue doing this, being brave with the ball, trying to bring our identity on the pitch.” AFP,