New Documentary: Ferenc Puskás in Australia
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Ferenc Puskás is a name that needs no introduction in the football world. The legendary Hungarian football star’s achievements on the field have been much celebrated, but little is known about his time coaching a soccer team in suburban Melbourne–until now. A new documentary Ange & the Boss sheds light on Puskás’ time down under and explores themes of immigration, identity and the power of football.
Recognized as one of the world’s most remarkable football players (he is the seventh top goal scorer of all time), Ferenc Puskás was at the core of Hungary’s Golden Team of the 1950s. This was a team that remained unbeaten for 32 consecutive games, became Olympic champions in 1952, and famously beat England 6-3 at Wembley Stadium in 1953.
After the 1956 revolution, Puskás refused to return to Hungary, which led to FIFA banning him from professional football for two years. He eventually went on to become a star player for Real Madrid.
Ferenc Puskás. Picture via Wikipedia.
From European Stardom to Melbourne Suburbia
It sounds like an unlikely story: one of the greatest footballers of all time, the man who inspired FIFA's Puskás Award, goes to Australia and finds himself coaching a semi-professional Greek-backed team in Melbourne in the late 1980s. Yet, that is exactly what happened. Puskás, in his 60s, overweight and speaking little English, found himself at the helm of South Melbourne Hellas, guiding them to a dramatic National Soccer League (NSL) championship in 1991.
Drawn to Australia by Melbourne’s Hungarian community to teach soccer clinics locally, he was soon linked with South Melbourne Hellas through its Greek connections. Puskás had spent time coaching in Greece in the 1970s and for this reason had cultural familiarity and spoke some Greek. But he also had the support of a translator and club captain in a young Ange Postecoglou—now one of the world's top managers, currently head coach of Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League.
The Hungarian ‘Golden Team’, 1953. Puskás is front and centre. Picture via Wikipedia.
A Migrant Story Beyond Football
While Ange & The Boss is a sports documentary at its core, it’s also a film about multicultural Australia in the 1980s and 90s. South Melbourne Hellas was more than just a football club; it was a cultural institution for Greek immigrants, a place where they found community, belonging, and pride. Postecoglou reflects on this in the film, recalling how Greek families had two places of worship on Sundays: the church in the morning and the football club in the afternoon. The documentary captures the rich cultural backdrop of the time, from dimly lit Hungarian clubs to lively Greek restaurants, offering an intimate look at the immigrant experience.
Lost Footage and Hidden Gems
What sets this documentary apart is its wealth of rare archival footage. Puskás, despite his age and physique, is seen playing in local matches, still showcasing his legendary left foot. There are also glimpses of a different era in Australian soccer: a struggling yet passionate NSL, dismissed by mainstream Anglo-Australian sports fans but cherished by its multicultural supporters. The film also delves into the quirks of Puskás’ Australian adventure—his love for food, his aversion to rain, and his non-rigid approach to coaching that emphasized the joy of the game.
A Labor of Love
Ange & The Boss is a documentary 13 years in the making, driven by the passion of filmmakers Tony Wilson, Cameron Fink, and Rob Heath. Despite funding struggles and the high cost of licensing match footage, they have crafted a film that is both a tribute to Puskás and a celebration of Australian soccer history.
The documentary premiered in Melbourne March 13th with limited theatrical screenings across Australia.
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