Revolution, by John Greechan (2023)

‘Revolution’ marks the second major book exploring the career of Ange Postecoglou, and the first written by a non-Australian. Written by John Greechan, an Edenborough based sports writer, ‘Revolution’ ultimately delivers an entertaining (and well timed) analysis of Australia’s ‘greatest ever football coach’ and his exponential rise.

Although Postecoglou’s backstory is well known by many of his fans, Greechan presents a unique outsider perspective on Australia’s culture and sporting landscape which reframes the foundations of the Australian coach. Unlike Postecoglou’s own book ‘Changing the Game’, Greechan breaks down in very simple terms, both soccer’s lowly spot in the Australian sporting hierarchy, and the struggles of the Greek-Australian migrant community. These descriptions can be quite uncomfortable to read, especially for desensitised modern Australians who may take soccer’s corporatisation and Greek migrant assimilation for granted. Greechan’s abrasive writing on these issues though give new colour to Postecoglou’s early struggles and present a more interesting read.

Greechan’s fresh outsider perspective is noticeable throughout the book, as he frequently zones in on antipodean cultural novelties. Greechan’s responses to Australianisms range from amazement at the country’s early morning viewing of European football, to anger at the treatment and ultimate expulsion of ethnic clubs. On the later point, Greechan goes as far to parallel the experience of South Melbourne Hellas with the club culture of Celtic, in a comparison which reveals the exclusionary and shameful aspects of Australian soccer in a more global context.

Greechan may present an outsider’s perspective on Australian culture, but in ‘Revolution’ he demonstrates a deep understanding of the book’s subject matter. Perhaps reflecting Greechan’s day job as a sports journalists, all the relevant headlines of Postecoglou’s Scottish soiree are re-explored in the book. His relationship with his father, his time with Puscas, and even his youthful holiday to Celtic park in his 20s are touched on. For those already familiar with Postecolgou’s story, ‘Revolution’ can at times read effortless – bordering lazy, and Greenchan’s analysis of Postecoglou can feel as though slipping into fandom. Overall though ‘Revolution’ does provide a comprehensive assessment of the origins of the Australian coach.

Where ‘Revolution’ really shines though is in the interviews Greechan conducts with Postecoglou’s associates. The book is filled with entertaining stories and perspectives of the coach from those who know him best. Excellent new insights are uncovered from Postecoglou’s early career. These include a recollection of a tense moment with South Melbourne team mates after a loss in Sydney (demonstrating Postecoglou’s early resilience), and Postecoglou’s interactions with the South Melbourne board (revealing the mechanics of semi-professional Australian soccer in the 90s). The insights from Thomas Broich, a player in Postecogou’s formidable ‘Roarcelona’ are also particularly noteworthy in this book.

The interviews provide the most meaningful content of ‘Revolution’, however the story may have been better served by a greater diversity of contributors. Postecoglou’s time in Greece, Japan and Scotland feel underexplored despite arguably representing his most high pressure career phases. Conversely Greechan dedicates an inordinate amount of pages to Postecoglou’s impact at Nunawading. ‘Revolution’ though still manages to provide a relatively comprehensive view on Postecolgou’s career thanks to a neat chapter structure. Each chapter presents a specific time in Postecoglou’s career and explores the development of different specific character traits notable in the Australian coach. Generally the interview content used by Greenhan to build out these chapters is not only uniquely insightful but appears to be the the most entertaining content available. There is a sense that a lot of content hit the cutting room floor. Greechan may have benefited from more time to polish the writing and interview a more wider set of people for insights.

‘Revolution’ may not fairly weight ever aspect of Postecoglou’s journey, but it presents an insightful and entertaining version of it. Greechan covers all of the expected points with a unique perspective and uncovers new stories through interesting interviews.