Australia has the potential to lead the world in soccer and host the men’s World Cup, football-mad pundit Tristan McManus insists.
The Irish TV star and host of Studio 10’s breakfast show is getting behind the microphone for tonight’s game at the friendly between English premiership giants Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham at Optus stadium.
McManus predicts Spurs links to Australia through new Australian coach Ange Postecoglou and a successful Women’s World Cup, starting on our shores this week, is the perfect inspiration to bag the biggest tournament in the world.
“Australia could be leading the way,” Paramount+ presenter McManus insisted.
“It’s very exciting. I just want a successful tournament here. It’s the women leading the way. We have such a great women’s national team here. As far as the expectations of this big world tournament and the success of it can go a long way to dictate whether we can have a men’s World Cup here depending on how this goes,” he told PerthNow.
McManus, 40, said tonight’s star-studded friendly featuring England Captain Harry Kane shouldn’t be underestimated when it comes to inspiring future Australian soccer stars.
He said of Spurs, “They are the next link to Australia with Ange Postecoglou taking over. It’s important for them to be here and for the next generation of soccer players to come through here. They have an Australian to aspire to.”
“I was a huge fan of Leeds,” said the Irishman, touting the Australian stars that the Northern English side produced.
“They had a huge connection to Ireland and Australia at the time,” he said.
“I loved Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka. All Australian players who played for Leeds. You need that link.”