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Former Socceroos defender Ryan McGowan has recalled the time he sat next to Ange Postecoglou on a long-haul flight, describing it as \u201cthe worst 16 hours\u201d of his life.<\/p>\n
The Sun<\/a> reports the 33-year-old, played under the management of Postecoglou while on international duty between 2013 and 2017.<\/p>\n And although he hails the new Spurs boss as the \u201cbest manager\u201d he\u2019s ever worked with, McGowan has also admitted that he is incredibly intimidating.<\/p>\n Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now ><\/a><\/b><\/i><\/p>\n When recalling a unique encounter with Postecoglou on the BBC\u2019s Sacked in the Morning<\/a> podcast, the defender said: \u201cI\u2019d been up to a bit of mischief with some of the senior boys beforehand, which I now seriously regret.<\/p>\n \u201cI was at (Scottish side) Hearts on my 100 quid a week and I used to put all my coffees on the senior boys\u2019 rooms because they could obviously afford it.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I didn\u2019t know they could pick the seats when we were flying from Sydney to Dubai.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was the worst 16 hours of my life.<\/p>\n \u201cI got my ticket and it was 1A, business class up the front. I get on the flight, all set up and the next thing Ange comes and he\u2019s sitting right next to me.\u201d<\/p>\n McGowan also revealed that he was subsequently too scared to go to the toilet during the flight, adding: \u201cI held it in the whole way. No way was I waking him up.<\/p>\n \u201cSome of the boys were ordering wine. I was like, \u2018just water, thank you\u2019. When we got there, he just up and left.\u201d<\/p>\n Postecoglou was confirmed as Tottenham\u2019s new manager<\/a> on Tuesday in a landmark announcement for Australian football.<\/p>\n His appointment marked the end of Spurs\u2019 three-month search for a new boss following the departure of Antonio Conte.<\/p>\n Julian Nagelsmann, Xabi Alonso and Arne Slot were all considered for the role, but McGowan believes Postecoglou will get the best out of the Spurs.<\/p>\n The Aussie, who plays for St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership, added: \u201cHe\u2019s the best coach I\u2019ve worked with. He is so distant and so scary, you are petrified of him – I still am. He\u2019d have certain rules that were just non-negotiable.<\/p>\n \u201cAs an average player, I liked that. He just told you what to do and you tried to do it as best you could. He was very good at that.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are certain managers who are like, \u2018go and express yourself\u2019. I can\u2019t express myself at all. Just tell me what to do and I\u2019ll try to do it!\u201d<\/p>\n Current Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has tipped football \u201cobsessed\u201d Postecoglou to again \u201cprove the doubters wrong\u201d<\/a> by achieving success with Tottenham.<\/p>\n Arnold, who lost an A-League grand final to Postecoglou in 2011 when Brisbane Roar prevailed in a penalty shootout over the Central Coast Mariners, said Tottenham would be a \u201cgreat job\u201d for the departing Hoops manager.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he\u2019ll kill it (in the Premier League),\u201d Arnold said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is just totally obsessed with the game. It is his life.<\/p>\n \u201c(I) always knew that he had that mentality of where he wanted to go \u2013 that was to the top.<\/p>\n \u201cHe had a few setbacks but that is coaching. You learn from those types of setbacks and Ange has always been someone that has always (been) so determined to prove the doubters wrong.<\/p>\n \u201cThat, in a lot ways, is his motivation. I\u2019m just so happy for him.\u201d This article originally appeared in The Sun<\/a> and was reproduced with permission.<\/i><\/p>\n \u2014With NCA NewsWire<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n