The Socceroos' stunning Asian Cup triumph has resonated with legendary AFL coach Mick Malthouse who's hoping some of Ange Postecoglou’s magic will rub off on his Carlton Blues this season.
Postecoglou, a huge Blues fan, was a guest at Carlton training on Thursday.
At the AFL club's base at Visy Park Postecoglou was presented with a club membership for the 2015 campaign.
So impressed with the manner of which the Socceroos played and Postecoglou’s philosophy, Malthouse plans to follow that blueprint with his side for the year ahead.
“The way Ange has gone about it. You generally know the top end what players are capable of but when you have young players there’s no limit and Ange has extracted that no limit philosophy," Malthouse told reporters on Thursday.
“There shouldn’t be one person in Australia that isn’t proud of what you did. I know we are as a football club and personally I couldn’t take my eyes off the TV watching you,” the legendary AFL coach added.
“I’m very much on the line if you think you know it all or that your sport’s the best you’re in real trouble.
“I’ve learned so much from soccer….but more importantly I’ve learned so much from people."
Postecoglou revealed he was a “rusted-on Bluebagger” and once brought Malthouse in to talk to his South Melbourne side before the NSL finals almost 20 years ago.
The Socceroos boss said Malthouse’s messages back then have played a big part in his own coaching career and now the AFL boss admits he has taken a lot from watching Postecoglou.
“Here I am talking about Aussie Rules football but I’m an Australian and I love the fact we won the Asian Cup and the way we did it,” Malthouse said.
“Ange is a primary reason for that because of his man management, so I’ve learned a lot from watching.”