Former Socceroos boss turned Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou reveals his love of cricket at Lord’s

Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham’s incoming manager, has revealed his passion for cricket as he watched his fellow Aussies dominate England in the second Ashes Test at Lord’s on day three.

Postecoglou, 57, declared ‘there’s nothing like the G’ – a reference to the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground – before detailing how his enthusiasm for the sport dates back to his childhood.

“I’m a huge fan, I loved growing up,” he said.

“I have a lot of fond memories of playing in the front and back yard, I love the game.

‘I grew up in the time of [Dennis] Lille, [Jeff] Thomson, [Rod] Swamp and [Allan] Border…and I also remember staying up late to watch the Ashes when it was played in England.”

The hosts threw away some of their wickets at the crease and now face a mountain to climb as Australia enjoy a 221-run lead heading into day four (pictured, England paceman Jimmy Anderson)

It was the first trip to the home of cricket for ‘Aussie Ange’ – and it turned out to be an unforgettable journey.

The tourists dominated day three, gaining a lead of 221 runs on stumps.

England threw away a large number of wickets – particularly Harry Brook after half a century of posting – to give Pat Cummins’ men the upper hand.

When it comes to football matters, Postecoglou has already started laying the foundations in North London.

The club announced the signing of James Maddison on Thursday, with the former Leicester midfielder revealing how a phone call with the Aussie persuaded him to join the project.

“I feel a hunger for the place,” Maddison said in his first interview with the club.

Postecoglou recently convinced former Leicester star James Maddison to join Spurs

“You come here and you get a feel for the club and the people, everything around it, and it feels great. Like I said, I’m very happy and can’t wait to get started.

“I spoke to the manager, spoke to [chairman] Daniel [Levy] and they both spoke highly of everything about the club and about me.

It was very important to talk to the manager, how he’s going to be, with that little bit of the unknown, so to have a decent talk with him and get his take on things, how he’s leading the Spurs this season see go.

“He said one thing to me on the call, I hope he doesn’t mind me saying this, but he said, ‘Whether you come or not you’re going to see a whole different Spurs team under me’, and that kind of stuck with me when he said that. I thought ‘wow, there’s the same confidence I have in myself’.

Postecoglou has also confirmed his backroom staff, with his former Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak on board as an assistant coach.