Ange Postecoglou Shares Peter Lawwell’s Words Before Celtic Exit
In a candid interview with Optus Sport’s Mark Schwarzer in 2022, former Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou revealed insights into his appointment and the pivotal role played by then-CEO Peter Lawwell. Postecoglou, now Tottenham Hotspur’s head coach, opened up about the conversations that shaped his transformative tenure at Celtic, shedding light on Lawwell’s influence before his departure as chief executive in 2021.
Postecoglou recounted how Lawwell, informed by his son Mark, who worked with the City Football Group, identified him as a prime candidate while he was managing Yokohama F. Marinos. “He first came to my attention via my son Mark, who said a guy called Ange Postecoglou is the manager of Yokohama. This guy’s the real deal,” Lawwell told Keep Up, as cited in a 2022 article. This endorsement placed Postecoglou on Celtic’s managerial shortlist for three years, a strategic move that proved crucial when the club’s pursuit of Eddie Howe collapsed.
Lawwell’s belief in Postecoglou was reinforced through direct conversations. “In my initial chats with Ange, I got a really great impression. He was experienced, mature, had courage in his convictions,” Lawwell said. He praised Postecoglou’s football philosophy, noting, “He played football the right way. He was a football enthusiast, a football nut.” These discussions, coupled with a Zoom call with Celtic owner Dermot Desmond, sealed Postecoglou’s appointment. Desmond, convinced after one conversation, declared, “We don’t need to talk to anyone else.”
Postecoglou acknowledged Lawwell’s support during his Optus Sport interview, highlighting the former CEO’s connections with the City Football Group as instrumental in his move. “When I was working in Japan, I was part of the City Group, and Peter Lawwell had an association with them,” he told Schwarzer. This link facilitated critical talks that brought Postecoglou to Celtic, where he led the club to a Premiership title and a League Cup in his debut season.
Lawwell’s departure as CEO in 2021 marked the end of an 18-year tenure, but his influence lingered, with Postecoglou crediting his vision as a parting gift to the club. This revelation underscores Lawwell’s enduring legacy at Celtic, even as he transitioned to non-executive chairman in 2023.
