Reporter: “How are you feeling, Ange? Need a coffee?”
Ange Postecoglou: “Yeah, on my third already. Quick turnaround, so it’s necessary!”
Reporter: “How’s the squad after last night, especially Romero?”
Ange Postecoglou: “Everyone came through unscathed, so no issues from last night. Cristian [Romero] is keen to train, and he might be back for the weekend. Mikey probably won’t make it, and Teo likely won’t either. Really, Romero’s the only one with a chance to return.”
Reporter: “Richarlison has had such tough luck with injuries. How is he mentally after another setback?”
Ange Postecoglou: “He was really disappointed. We took a different approach with his rehab this time. He worked so hard on his general fitness, trimmed down, and conditioned well. We eased him back carefully to avoid overload, but he broke down again. He’s crucial for us, as you saw with his impact off the bench last week. We just need to keep working to get him back; he’s a valuable player.”
Reporter: “When do you start to focus on the league table? Is it still early?”
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Ange Postecoglou: “Yes, still early. What’s important is that we keep progressing. Our football has been consistent and good, with a few stumbles. But overall, we’re making progress. No point looking at the table now—only the end of the season matters.”
Reporter: “Hugo Lloris has mentioned a mentality in the past where fourth place was an achievement. Do you sense that here?”
Ange Postecoglou: “I haven’t read what Hugo said, but context is key. That period was very successful for the club—second in the league and Champions League runner-up. It’s easy to focus on the negatives when things don’t go as planned, but it was a near-miss era. I don’t let others dictate my ambitions. We shouldn’t put a ceiling on what we can achieve, and I work daily to keep that mindset.”
Reporter: “Any update on Micky van de Ven’s return?”
Ange Postecoglou: “Yes, it’ll be after the international break. The timing depends on his progress, but it’ll be some time after that.”
Reporter: “Son Heung-min came off in the second half yesterday. Is he fully fit?”
Ange Postecoglou: “With Sonny, we’re building him back carefully. After his injury, he had a relapse in his first game back. We don’t want him to fall into a cycle of recurring injuries. He got 55 minutes over the weekend and 45 last night. We’re building his minutes gradually to ensure we can keep him fit and on the pitch.”
Reporter: “What’s your approach to Ipswich this weekend? They’re still chasing their first Premier League win.”
Ange Postecoglou: “Every game in this league has the potential to hurt you if you’re not at your best. Ipswich has been close in several games. Kieran McKenna has done an incredible job. They’ve been competitive in most games this season, which is a credit to him and the team. We expect a tough match, but our home form has been strong, and we aim to keep it that way.”
Reporter: “This season feels more open, with some teams underperforming and others surprising. Do you agree?”
Ange Postecoglou: “Yes, it does feel more open, especially since many top clubs have been hit with injuries. Forest and Brighton have shown good form, too. Injuries affect every team, no matter how strong. But it’s too early to see how things will pan out. A significant injury spell can hit anyone.”
Reporter: “We’re seeing a resurgence of number nines like Osimhen and Solanke. Does that excite you?”
Ange Postecoglou: “I think true strikers never went out of fashion. Haaland, Lewandowski, Kane—there are great strikers out there. Scoring goals is the hardest part of the game, and it takes a certain mindset. Dom’s been great for us, not just in scoring but in leadership on the field. If you have a good striker, you put him in your team.”
Reporter: “You said you don’t put a ceiling on ambitions. How do you encourage players not to settle for top four?”
Ange Postecoglou: “It’s about daily improvement. If your goal is to improve every day, you don’t set limits. When I started coaching in Australia, I would’ve met any clear ambitions within my first two years if I’d set them. For players, too, it’s about keeping that growth mindset and seeing where that can take them.”
Reporter: “Kulu’s switch to midfield has been a success. What led you to that decision?”
Ange Postecoglou: “Not a specific moment. I noticed his personality was better suited to being more involved in the game, which is hard as a winger. Last season, we started playing him inside occasionally, and he grew into it. He’s improved significantly since preseason, adapting to defensive and offensive roles in midfield.”
Reporter: “What’s the next step for Kulusevski’s game?”
Ange Postecoglou: “Constant improvement. He’s effective, but there’s always more to learn. He has lofty ambitions, and with his mindset, he’ll continue growing in every aspect.”
Reporter: “How do you encourage players not to settle for top four as the goal?”
Ange Postecoglou: “It’s a daily process. If you aim to improve every day, you don’t set limits. When I started coaching in Australia, I would have exceeded any goals I set within the first two years if I’d defined them narrowly. I’ve seen players reach the top by ignoring limits, so I emphasize that mindset: get better every day, and see where that takes you. Let any limits reveal themselves naturally, rather than defining them from the start.”
Reporter: “Your decision to move Kulusevski into midfield has been successful. What led you to that idea?”
Ange Postecoglou: “It wasn’t one specific moment. Dejan has always been a player who thrives when he’s fully engaged in the game. The way we ask our wingers to play doesn’t always suit his skill set, but even more so, it doesn’t fit his personality. He’s a player who wants to be actively involved, and sometimes wingers have to hold their position without the ball. Toward the end of last season, we tried him in the middle, and he took to it. From the start of preseason, the plan was to develop him in that role, and he’s been progressing really well.”
Reporter: “Did you see him play centrally during his time in Italy?”
Ange Postecoglou: “Yes, I looked at his background. Early on, that was his position. Then, due to his effectiveness, he was moved out wide in counterattacking systems, where he could run at defenders with space. That suited him in those setups, but as players develop, their role can evolve. For some wide players, their game naturally transitions inward as they grow, and he’s one of them.”
Reporter: “What’s the next challenge for Kulusevski? Where should he improve?”
Ange Postecoglou: “Exactly what I was saying—constant improvement. He has lofty ambitions for himself, and he’s showing a great attitude. He can get better in every area of his game. He’s already very effective with and without the ball, but there’s still a lot more to come. That’s the exciting part.”
