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Vince Rugari

@vincerugari.com
2.5K followers 720 following 290 posts

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 · 03/03/2026
Mask off moment.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 11/02/2026
It won’t happen. But it should.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 27/01/2026
Not to keep going on about it, but I hope everyone who blamed Ange’s training methods last season — despite knowing zero about those methods — is embarrassed and ashamed of themselves for their lack of intelligence. You were stupid.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 06/01/2026
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.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 01/01/2026
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?
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Reposted by Vince Rugari
Bonita Mersiades @bonitamersiades.bsky.social · 01/01/2026
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...
smh.com.au
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.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 23/12/2025
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...
smh.com.au
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.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 29/10/2025
Amazing that this comes from a website specialising in evidence-based stats content lol
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 23/10/2025
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!
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 17/10/2025
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...
smh.com.au
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.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 10/09/2025
Hello Tottenham BlueSky. www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
smh.com.au
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.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 18/07/2025
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...
smh.com.au
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.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 11/07/2025
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...
smh.com.au
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.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 11/07/2025
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...
smh.com.au
‘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?
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 07/07/2025
Sydney FC to seek millions in compensation over Allianz Stadium drainage fiasco www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
smh.com.au
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.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 03/07/2025
‘We’ll show you how to do it’: Secret recording catches suspected match-fixers red-handed www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
smh.com.au
‘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.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 13/06/2025
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...
smh.com.au
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.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 06/06/2025
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...
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 06/06/2025
Ange will land on his feet. But Spurs have made an enormous mistake in sacking him www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
smh.com.au
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.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 06/06/2025
Ah well. Their loss.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 05/06/2025
Perfectly imperfect: Unlikely hero takes Socceroos to brink of another World Cup www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
smh.com.au
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.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 04/06/2025
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...
smh.com.au
‘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.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 02/06/2025
‘I can smell success’: Montemurro aims for Asian Cup glory with Matildas www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
smh.com.au
‘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...
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 31/05/2025
“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...
smh.com.au
‘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.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 30/05/2025
‘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...
smh.com.au
‘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.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 29/05/2025
“I’ve tasted success and frankly, it’s not for me”
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 23/05/2025
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.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 22/05/2025
Hope this makes sense. Ange delivered like he always does. Spurs would be mad to sack him now www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
smh.com.au
Ange delivered like he always does. Spurs would be mad to sack him now
After he ended Tottenham Hotspur’s 17-year wait for a trophy, the stupidest thing the club could do is let Ange Postecoglou go.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 21/05/2025
That’s why.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 21/05/2025
Chat how we coping
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 21/05/2025
My preview. ‘I’m not a clown, mate’: Why winning the Europa League would be Postecoglou’s biggest achievement www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
smh.com.au
‘I’m not a clown, mate’: Why winning the Europa League would be Postecoglou’s biggest achievement
Thursday morning’s Europa League final between Tottenham and Manchester United feels more consequential than any game Ange Postecoglou has ever managed.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 20/05/2025
This has never been more true than it is today.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 14/05/2025
If he doesn’t play on, Juan Mata says he might buy into the A-League: www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
smh.com.au
He won the World Cup with Spain. Now he’s interested in buying into the A-League
Juan Mata’s playing future at the Western Sydney Wanderers is unclear – but the former Manchester United and Chelsea star could stay involved in the Australian game as a club owner.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 10/05/2025
Actually, the best case scenario is that Postecoglou ends the wait for the trophy, and then stays, and then delivers more trophies.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 09/05/2025
Enjoy your lunch. Ange dropped the coldest quote in soccer history. In 90 minutes he can deliver on it www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
smh.com.au
Ange dropped the coldest quote in soccer history. In 90 minutes he can deliver on it
“I always win things in my second year,” Ange Postecoglou said back in September. That bold statement is one match away from coming true.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 08/05/2025
James Johnson steps down as Football Australia boss www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
smh.com.au
James Johnson steps down as Football Australia boss
Football Australia is looking for a new chief executive after the resignation of James Johnson after a five-and-a-half year spell at the helm of the national federation.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 05/05/2025
On Alex Robertson: He’s a third-generation Socceroo who says he bleeds green and gold. So why isn’t he playing? Plus - an almost full transcript of everything else Tony Popovic had to say in his roundtable chat with journos. www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
smh.com.au
He’s a third-generation Socceroo who says he bleeds green and gold. So why isn’t he playing?
Alex Robertson remains locked in a bizarre stand-off with Football Australia over his eligibility to play for the Socceroos, who he has represented twice before in friendlies.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 04/05/2025
Joe Montemurro to coach Matildas, Graham Arnold to coach … Iraq? www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
smh.com.au
Joe Montemurro to coach Matildas, Graham Arnold to coach … Iraq?
Football Australia is close to sealing an agreement with their long-time target to coach the Matildas, while former Socceroos boss Graham Arnold is reportedly set to join an Asian rival.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 04/05/2025
Molto bene: Australia in line to host world-first Italian Serie A match www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...
smh.com.au
Molto bene: Australia in line to host world-first Italian Serie A match
Perth’s Optus Stadium and Australian football fans could be set to benefit from next year’s Winter Olympics. The opening ceremony is being held at the San Siro, which is forcing the two Milan clubs to...
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 02/05/2025
Ange Postecoglou team defying outside noise to stand on the brink of achieving something people said was impossible is it? Hmm.
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 21/04/2025
Am I the only one who doesn’t really see enough parallels to call this a “potential Ten Hag situation“? Seems like fairly lazy shorthand for pretty different situations, for me. Lot of PL watchers can only explain things based on past happenings and not for things as they are. (To me! To me!)
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Vince Rugari @vincerugari.com · 20/04/2025
It’s absolutely wild to remember that Ange copped pelters in season one for not prioritising the cups by rotating the squad and getting eliminated from the Carabao Cup early. These days he rotates specifically to prioritise the Europa League and gets savaged for it.
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Doug @dgkth.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
People seem to have pigeon-holed "AngeBall" into specific formations or memories of the 9-men, high line against Chelsea. That leads people to believing we're not even "playing AngeBall anymore". Playing philosophy and strategy aren't the same as formation or line-height.
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