You may know that Postecoglou would be a better fit for the Everton job than Ancelotti, I may know it and the man who just led Yokohama F Marinos will certainly know it but the fact that the Italian is close to Goodison Park shows that the Australian’s first stop in Europe should be outside the English Premier League.
Ancelotti is one of the biggest names around, winning leagues in four European countries and three UEFA Champions League trophies. When such a man is attracted to a struggling English Premier League club --and while Everton do have stature and history, the Blues have never come close to challenging for a Premier League title -- it does make you wonder what chance Australian coaches have of breaking into the world’s most popular league.
The best coaches in the world and those with the biggest reputations seek to work in England’s top tier such as Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho. Any time a decent job comes available then some seriously impressive CVs end up in the inboxes of CEOs. It leaves the best of British coaches fighting over the smaller teams and those from the Championship, where the likes of Marcelo Bielsa can be found.
Where does that leave someone like Postecoglou? There is always the chance of a CEO or owner taking a punt on someone from outside the traditional coaching heartlands (at least from a European point of view). There is always a chance that someone will see the J.League title win as evidence of someone who can produce something special in the right circumstances but the odds are not high.
He is still seen as a gamble and one that those who make the appointments are likely to see as an unnecessary one. If Everton appoint Ancelotti, there may be some fans who see the Italian as one adept at making good teams better rather than rebuilding those who are struggling, but the overall reception will be one of delight. It is hard to criticise the hiring of one of the most successful coaches in the world.
I recently wrote a book that focused on British coaches overseas, which included interviews with over 30 men who were working or had worked outside the UK. Those who are far from home and did not have a glittering playing career can struggle even to get interviews, regardless of qualifications and success.
If Everton appoint Ancelotti or a former playing legend, then it may not work out but at least the owners will not get much of the blame, for a while at least. Yet appoint Postecoglou, someone from outside the normal circles, then questions are going to be asked immediately. It takes a brave club to make that choice.
Going straight into the Premier League then is going to be difficult. Arsene Wenger is often mentioned as an example but then the Frenchman had already had won the French league and reached the last four of the UEFA Champions League with Monaco, Arsenal did not then attract the interest of some of the biggest names in coaching and chairman David Dein was an official of imagination and vision.
The English Premier League is not the be-all and end-all but surely it is the place at the moment where a coach can see how good he really is. For a person such as Postecoglou, the idea of pitting wits against Klopp, Guardiola, Mourinho -- and who knows who else in the coming months and years --must be tantalising.
Best then to seek a first European job on the continent and show what he can do in one of the big leagues. Success in Germany, France or elsewhere will go a long way to opening that Premier League door. When a club in a relegation fight can attract Carlo Ancelotti then it is time to explore other options even if you are a better fit.
