As rumors about the future of the England captain grow, new Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou stated on Monday that Harry Kane was “totally committed” to his plans for the north London club.
In the final year of his six-year deal with Spurs, Kane is being aggressively courted by Bayern Munich.
Postecoglou said his initial conversations with Kane had been educational, unfazed by the uncertainties until the English Premier League season begins next month.
“I had a good chat with Harry… nothing earth-shattering or defining,” he said before Tottenham’s pre-season friendly against West Ham in Perth on Tuesday.
“Me and Harry were perfectly aligned in… we want to see a successful team this year.
“He’s here and while he’s here, he’s totally committed to what we’re doing.”
Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness added to the tug-of-war for the 29-year-old’s services by telling journalists on Saturday Kane’s “mind is made up” to switch to the Bundesliga champions.
Kane is the star of Tottenham’s 31-man team traveling to Perth, Bangkok, and Singapore ahead of the upcoming season.
Hugo Lloris, the team’s captain, is conspicuously absent, having been given permission to forgo the trip in order to pursue prospects elsewhere.
“I had a good chat with him and left it up to him whether he wanted to come along,” Postecoglou said.
“I think he deserves that respect to garner the direction of his own future… because of his standing.”
The direct manner When Postecoglou was five years old, his family immigrated from Greece to Australia, where he will manage Tottenham for the first time.
“Could have gone anywhere in the world and ended up… back in Australia, which is great,” he said of the game against West Ham, which is set to attract a crowd of more than 50,000 at Perth’s Optus Stadium.
“Chuffed to bits that this is going to be our first official game.”
Having unleashed a swashbuckling style in his previous roles in Australia, Greece, Japan and, most recently, Scottish club Celtic, Postecoglou promised a similar attacking approach in his most high-profile job to date.
“Nothing has really changed in the way I do things,” he said.
“What I do try and envisage is the team playing a certain way. That’s what drives me.
“I want the team to play football that is exciting for the fans and ultimately brings success.”
