Mitchell Langerak has many connection with Japan before joining to Nagoya Grampus. (2ページ目)

For Langerak, it was no wonder that Postecoglou succeeded in the J.League in his second season.

"He has left big impressions on players, fans, and the people around him everywhere he's been. I am not surprised at all that he's done very well in Yokohama ─ now only one more game to go (until they win the league title). You've watched his teams play for nearly two years now ? an attacking, exciting, free-flowing, nice style of football. If it's not Nagoya winning the league, I am happy enough that another Australian has the chance to do so."

In Langerak's view, Postecoglou has many distinguished qualities in football coaching.

"Obviously his tactical approach is something special, and he is a very intense coach who can bring the best out of his boys with great speeches to motivate them. In this regard, I was interested to see how he would do it in Japan because there must be some language barrier. But they've had no trouble whatsoever with a translator, and we can see how his messages clearly get across to the team."

Postecoglou was criticised, fiercely sometimes, for his radical and revolutionary approach in both Australia and Japan before he ended up winning major titles. According to Langerak, who had seen his compatriot up close for several years, Postecoglou will have especially enjoyed those times ─ something the manager himself admitted at the press conference right after the J.League triumph.

"I think those criticisms made him more determined," Langerak continued. "He believes in his way and style of football, which is very difficult to perfect. So I think criticism is normal, but he showed how he could get through the tough periods. He sticks to his principles; that's very important."

Not only a J.League winner, but the world champion coach has also trained Langerak ─ Jurgen Klopp, who won the Club World Cup with Liverpool in 2019, was the manager of Dortmund while he was there.