Vince Rugari
@vincerugari.com
Sydney Morning Herald sports reporter | vince.rugari@smh.com.au | Author of Angeball: The definitive biography of Ange Postecoglou
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Vince Rugari
@vincerugari.com
· Jun 13
He was in Daniel Levy’s shoes 30 years ago. Instead of sacking Ange, he called in sick
South Melbourne’s board wanted Ange Postecoglou gone, just five games into his first season as coach. But president George Vasilopoulos had other ideas.
www.smh.com.au
A massive honour and great pleasure to sit down with George Vasilopoulos this week to talk about his time as South Melbourne president — and how he saved Ange Postecoglou by calling in sick to stop a board meeting in 1996 where he was to be sacked.
www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
When we die, our bodies become the grass, and the antelope eat the grass. And so we are all connected in the great Circle of Life.
January 6, 2026 at 9:21 AM
When we die, our bodies become the grass, and the antelope eat the grass. And so we are all connected in the great Circle of Life.
Just catching up with the highlights and did I see a Thomas Frank defensive line on halfway? Did anyone call that suicidal, or question whether it contributed to any injuries?
January 1, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Just catching up with the highlights and did I see a Thomas Frank defensive line on halfway? Did anyone call that suicidal, or question whether it contributed to any injuries?
Reposted by Vince Rugari
Such a good article from @vincerugari.com on why we’re just not that much into singing at sport.
www.smh.com.au/sport/why-do...
www.smh.com.au/sport/why-do...
Why don’t Aussie sporting crowds sing like the Brits do? Blame the Beatles
We’ve borrowed so much from British sporting culture – but their fans sing with gusto, and we’re so sheepish in comparison.
www.smh.com.au
January 1, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Such a good article from @vincerugari.com on why we’re just not that much into singing at sport.
www.smh.com.au/sport/why-do...
www.smh.com.au/sport/why-do...
Wrote this a few days ago. Still holds up I think.
Sacking Ange was a huge mistake. Spurs are now in a mess of their own making www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
Sacking Ange was a huge mistake. Spurs are now in a mess of their own making www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
Sacking Ange was a huge mistake. Spurs are now in a mess of their own making
Tottenham Hotspur said a “change of approach” would make them more competitive. The evidence suggests otherwise, and regret is setting in fast.
www.smh.com.au
December 23, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Wrote this a few days ago. Still holds up I think.
Sacking Ange was a huge mistake. Spurs are now in a mess of their own making www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
Sacking Ange was a huge mistake. Spurs are now in a mess of their own making www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
Amazing that this comes from a website specialising in evidence-based stats content lol
October 29, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Amazing that this comes from a website specialising in evidence-based stats content lol
One of my favourite quotes in football. Spurs feeling now what the Socceroos did after 2017: the grass isn’t always greener.
Hopefully Frank gets there, I like him.
These things are like a pendulum. Neither way is correct, and both have drawbacks and advantages!
Hopefully Frank gets there, I like him.
These things are like a pendulum. Neither way is correct, and both have drawbacks and advantages!
“At some point in time I’ll get replaced by ‘John the Pragmatist’ and you can all be happy and revel in it.” #COYS
October 23, 2025 at 12:24 AM
One of my favourite quotes in football. Spurs feeling now what the Socceroos did after 2017: the grass isn’t always greener.
Hopefully Frank gets there, I like him.
These things are like a pendulum. Neither way is correct, and both have drawbacks and advantages!
Hopefully Frank gets there, I like him.
These things are like a pendulum. Neither way is correct, and both have drawbacks and advantages!
Of the top 50 players for G+A in the #ALeague last season, almost half - 23 - have departed.
Here's a bit on what that means, the good and the bad, with a bit of help from Stefan Mauk.
www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
Here's a bit on what that means, the good and the bad, with a bit of help from Stefan Mauk.
www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
The A-League starts this weekend. Why are so many stars from last season no longer here?
Australia’s national league has become a terrific platform for young players to launch their careers, but older players are copping the “short end of the stick”, according to one departed star.
www.smh.com.au
October 16, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Of the top 50 players for G+A in the #ALeague last season, almost half - 23 - have departed.
Here's a bit on what that means, the good and the bad, with a bit of help from Stefan Mauk.
www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
Here's a bit on what that means, the good and the bad, with a bit of help from Stefan Mauk.
www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
Hello Tottenham BlueSky. www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
Does Ange Postecoglou still ‘believe in fairies’? We’re about to find out
Ange Postecoglou will be operating in the shadows of Brian Clough, one of England’s greatest managers, at Nottingham Forest. In many ways, they are kindred spirits.
www.smh.com.au
September 10, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Hello Tottenham BlueSky. www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
How Oasis ruined the Socceroos’ plans for a 20-year anniversary clash with Uruguay — plus a whole load of new stuff from a lengthy chat this week with Tony Popovic
www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
How Oasis ruined the Socceroos’ plans for a 20-year anniversary clash with Uruguay
The trade-off for Noel and Liam Gallagher’s long-awaited reunion at Accor Stadium in November is that another similarly historic reunion will not take place at that very same venue that month.
www.smh.com.au
July 18, 2025 at 5:13 AM
How Oasis ruined the Socceroos’ plans for a 20-year anniversary clash with Uruguay — plus a whole load of new stuff from a lengthy chat this week with Tony Popovic
www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
Comedians, influencers and footy players: Why we can’t get enough of celebrity boxing, even though we say we hate it www.smh.com.au/sport/boxing...
Comedians, influencers and footy players: Why we can’t get enough of celebrity boxing
There is surely no other sport like boxing, where notoriety outweighs skill to the extent that most people would seemingly rather watch rookies fighting instead of the actual best in the world.
www.smh.com.au
July 11, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Comedians, influencers and footy players: Why we can’t get enough of celebrity boxing, even though we say we hate it www.smh.com.au/sport/boxing...
The Premier League awaits Wrexham. One more promotion to go. But how can a club built on authenticity, accessibility and community reach the game’s most elite and corporatised level without sacrificing its soul?
www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
‘That is why I don’t sleep most nights’: Ambition, the EPL and the paradox of Wrexham AFC
The Premier League awaits. But how can a club built on authenticity, accessibility and community reach the game’s most elite and corporatised level without sacrificing its soul?
www.smh.com.au
July 11, 2025 at 6:44 AM
The Premier League awaits Wrexham. One more promotion to go. But how can a club built on authenticity, accessibility and community reach the game’s most elite and corporatised level without sacrificing its soul?
www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
Sydney FC to seek millions in compensation over Allianz Stadium drainage fiasco www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
Sydney FC to seek millions in compensation over Allianz Stadium drainage fiasco
A review is expected to recommend the stadium be shut down for at least six weeks to fix the playing surface, meaning the Sky Blues will have to take their home games on the road again.
www.smh.com.au
July 7, 2025 at 5:54 AM
Sydney FC to seek millions in compensation over Allianz Stadium drainage fiasco www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
‘We’ll show you how to do it’: Secret recording catches suspected match-fixers red-handed www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
‘We’ll show you how to do it’: Secret recording catches suspected match-fixers red-handed
Police have been handed a covert recording in which it is alleged a representative of a Chinese investment group asks a player at an NPL club to engage in match-fixing.
www.smh.com.au
July 3, 2025 at 9:37 PM
‘We’ll show you how to do it’: Secret recording catches suspected match-fixers red-handed www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
A massive honour and great pleasure to sit down with George Vasilopoulos this week to talk about his time as South Melbourne president — and how he saved Ange Postecoglou by calling in sick to stop a board meeting in 1996 where he was to be sacked.
www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
He was in Daniel Levy’s shoes 30 years ago. Instead of sacking Ange, he called in sick
South Melbourne’s board wanted Ange Postecoglou gone, just five games into his first season as coach. But president George Vasilopoulos had other ideas.
www.smh.com.au
June 13, 2025 at 6:17 AM
A massive honour and great pleasure to sit down with George Vasilopoulos this week to talk about his time as South Melbourne president — and how he saved Ange Postecoglou by calling in sick to stop a board meeting in 1996 where he was to be sacked.
www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
Anyway.
In today's @smh, one of my favourite - and most important - things I've ever written.
It's about a special club in Griffith, NSW, and the needless rigidity of Australian soccer administration.
www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
In today's @smh, one of my favourite - and most important - things I've ever written.
It's about a special club in Griffith, NSW, and the needless rigidity of Australian soccer administration.
www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
June 6, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Anyway.
In today's @smh, one of my favourite - and most important - things I've ever written.
It's about a special club in Griffith, NSW, and the needless rigidity of Australian soccer administration.
www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
In today's @smh, one of my favourite - and most important - things I've ever written.
It's about a special club in Griffith, NSW, and the needless rigidity of Australian soccer administration.
www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
Ange will land on his feet. But Spurs have made an enormous mistake in sacking him www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
Ange will land on his feet. But Spurs have made an enormous mistake in sacking him
Sacking Ange Postecoglou is a decision Tottenham Hotspur will almost certainly live to regret.
www.smh.com.au
June 6, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Ange will land on his feet. But Spurs have made an enormous mistake in sacking him www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
Perfectly imperfect: Unlikely hero takes Socceroos to brink of another World Cup www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
Perfectly imperfect: Unlikely hero takes Socceroos to brink of another World Cup
Thursday night’s clash with Japan grimly tested the patience of all those who watched it. Then it was richly rewarded with Aziz Behich’s 90th-minute goal.
www.smh.com.au
June 5, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Perfectly imperfect: Unlikely hero takes Socceroos to brink of another World Cup www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
A great, great pleasure to speak with Alessandro Circati about his comeback from his ACL injury and his time in Serie A so far.
‘I view things differently now’: The Socceroos’ next big thing is back, and even better than before www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
‘I view things differently now’: The Socceroos’ next big thing is back, and even better than before www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
‘I view things differently now’: The Socceroos’ next big thing is back, and even better than before
After seven months out with a torn ACL, rising Serie A star Alessandro Circati has returned fitter, sharper and more driven – just when the Socceroos need him the most.
www.smh.com.au
June 4, 2025 at 1:50 AM
A great, great pleasure to speak with Alessandro Circati about his comeback from his ACL injury and his time in Serie A so far.
‘I view things differently now’: The Socceroos’ next big thing is back, and even better than before www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
‘I view things differently now’: The Socceroos’ next big thing is back, and even better than before www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
‘I can smell success’: Montemurro aims for Asian Cup glory with Matildas www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
‘I can smell success’: Montemurro aims for Asian Cup glory with Matildas
Joe Montemurro was struggling to find the words to describe his emotions after being confirmed as the new Matildas coach on Monday, ending a protracted 10-month search for a successor to Tony Gustavss...
www.smh.com.au
June 2, 2025 at 2:54 AM
‘I can smell success’: Montemurro aims for Asian Cup glory with Matildas www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
“James Maddison, he reminds me a lot of Jason Cummings – that sort of character.”
That and a couple other pearlers from my chat with Nick Montgomery here…
‘We believed all season’: Inside Tottenham’s euphoric Europa League victory www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
That and a couple other pearlers from my chat with Nick Montgomery here…
‘We believed all season’: Inside Tottenham’s euphoric Europa League victory www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
‘We believed all season’: Inside Tottenham’s euphoric Europa League victory
Former A-League championship coach Nick Montgomery is still coming to terms with what he helped Tottenham achieve this season as an assistant to Ange Postecoglou.
www.smh.com.au
May 31, 2025 at 9:50 PM
“James Maddison, he reminds me a lot of Jason Cummings – that sort of character.”
That and a couple other pearlers from my chat with Nick Montgomery here…
‘We believed all season’: Inside Tottenham’s euphoric Europa League victory www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
That and a couple other pearlers from my chat with Nick Montgomery here…
‘We believed all season’: Inside Tottenham’s euphoric Europa League victory www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
‘I’m in awe of the girls’: Ex-Matilda makes her greatest save yet for Australia’s blind football team www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
‘I’m in awe of the girls’: Ex-Matilda makes her greatest save yet for Australia’s blind football team
Casey Dumont thought her days of representing Australia on the international stage had come and gone. Then she got a message out of the blue.
www.smh.com.au
May 30, 2025 at 3:33 AM
‘I’m in awe of the girls’: Ex-Matilda makes her greatest save yet for Australia’s blind football team www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
“I’ve tasted success and frankly, it’s not for me”
May 29, 2025 at 10:34 PM
“I’ve tasted success and frankly, it’s not for me”
My pleasure. And tbh, it wasn’t difficult. When you’ve seen and experienced what I have over 10+ years… like I’ve said before, tipping Ange to be successful is like predicting the sun will rise tomorrow.
It’s not profound, you don’t need a crystal ball. It’s obvious. Hopefully others can see now.
It’s not profound, you don’t need a crystal ball. It’s obvious. Hopefully others can see now.
Just wanted to say thank you Vince. There have been precious few voices in the Spurs-sphere to have stuck by Ange to the end, you led the charge.
Hopefully more will join the bandwagon now.
#TrueBeliever
Hopefully more will join the bandwagon now.
#TrueBeliever
May 23, 2025 at 2:00 AM
My pleasure. And tbh, it wasn’t difficult. When you’ve seen and experienced what I have over 10+ years… like I’ve said before, tipping Ange to be successful is like predicting the sun will rise tomorrow.
It’s not profound, you don’t need a crystal ball. It’s obvious. Hopefully others can see now.
It’s not profound, you don’t need a crystal ball. It’s obvious. Hopefully others can see now.