Tottenham's Ange Postecoglou has been helped by Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola

Ange Postecoglou says inspirational meetings with Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola have given him an early insight into life in the Premier League. The two most successful managers in the competition's history both crossed paths with the new Tottenham manager in far-flung corners of the globe.

Furthermore, they recognised enough of a kindred spirit to give up precious one-on-one time which helped shape the 57-year-old into the manager he is today. Guardiola, in particular, was so impressed that he is said to have recommended Postecoglou to Celtic owner Dermot Desmond two years after their meeting on Manchester City’s pre-season tour of Japan.

“Whether I was consciously or unconsciously influenced by him, absolutely. An unbelievable manager but check my phone - he’s not in there under 'Pep'!” However, it was meeting with former Manchester United boss Ferguson more than 20 years ago which first got Postecoglou thinking about what it would be like to manage in England.

“All the great managers in the world have that great trademark. When I came across Pep in Japan he was also generous with his time. There are people you eye from afar and plenty who, after I met them, I wish I hadn’t. But they are not one of them. You want them to be kind with your time and they both certainly were.”