Ange Postecoglou has been ranked as 30th among the top 50 managers in the world.
The review by Four Four Two magazine is of course subjective but thoughtfully measures up a number of factors with the Celtic boss crashing into contention after a dramatic first season in European football.
Pep Guardiola pips Carlo Ancelotti into top spot but with another Champions League success on his CV the Real Madrid boss won’t be too upset by that verdict.
The 30th place ranking is testament to the scale of the job that Postecoglou took on last summer, rebuilding a squad while wheeling and dealing in the transfer market he steered Celtic to the SPFL Premiership title on the back of a 32 match unbeaten run that included victories home and away in the Glasgow derby.
Four Four Two describes the Celtic boss as:
The appointment of Ange Postecoglou drew some puzzling looks from some – especially after Eddie Howe’s “will he, won’t he” Celtic saga. It’s safe to say he’s won the doubters over, however, with his stunning possession style, which has lifted Celtic into the Champions League group stage again.
The Australian is already being tipped for massive jobs – and after a stint at City Football Group side Yokohama F. Marinos, he’s had a Vieira-like transition from obscurity to becoming one of the most thrilling managers in Britain.
Building on his first season with a greater level of expectation is the new task for Postecoglou but overnight he was discussing his plans for the January transfer window as he demonstrates that We Never Stop is more than a catchphrase.
The Four Four Two Top Ten Managers
2 Carlo Ancelotti
3 Jurgen Klopp
4 Antonio Conte
5 Stefano Pioli
6 Mikel Arteta
7 Thomas Tuchel
8 Graham Potter
9 Julian Nagelsmann
10 Diego Simeone
Where is Pedro, The Breadman, Coisty, Barry, McCann and Gio.
Shurely shum mishtake.