Nottingham Forest have confirmed the appointment of Ange Postecoglou as their new head coach, just hours after sacking Nuno Espirito Santo following a dramatic breakdown in his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis that left the club’s European campaign in turmoil.
The 60-year-old Australian arrives at the City Ground on a contract until summer 2027, returning to management just three months after being dismissed by Tottenham Hotspur. Postecoglou’s first match in charge will be Saturday’s daunting Premier League fixture away to Arsenal, with Forest currently sitting tenth in the table after three matches.
Nuno was relieved of his duties in a statement released just after midnight on Tuesday morning, ending his 21-month tenure despite guiding the club to their first European qualification in 30 years. The Portuguese coach had publicly admitted his relationship with Greek shipping magnate Marinakis had deteriorated, creating an untenable situation at the City Ground.
“We are bringing a coach to the Club who has a proven and consistent record of winning trophies,” Marinakis said, confirming Postecoglou’s appointment. “His experience of coaching teams at the highest level, along with his desire to build something special with us at Forest, makes him a fantastic person to help us on our journey.”
Swift Resolution After Crisis
The appointment represents remarkably swift business from Forest’s hierarchy, with Postecoglou spotted arriving at the club’s training ground on Tuesday morning before the official announcement. The former Celtic and Yokohama F. Marinos boss beat competition from several high-profile candidates, with Jose Mourinho and Brendan Rodgers among those linked to the position.
Postecoglou’s Greek heritage appears to have played a significant role in securing the position. Marinakis, who also owns Greek champions Olympiakos, had previously presented the Australian with a special award in July for being the first coach of Greek origin to win a European trophy in men’s football.
“Ange has spoken many times about Greece,” Marinakis said at that ceremony. “It is very important for a person to be proud and shout about his origins. He achieved it with a team that was not winning titles and was struggling.”
The appointment continues Forest’s pattern of appointing head coaches rather than managers, suggesting Postecoglou will have limited input on transfers. This arrangement contributed to Nuno’s downfall, with the Portuguese coach clashing with new global head of football Edu Gaspar over recruitment strategy.
Nuno’s Dramatic Exit
Nuno’s dismissal marks the first Premier League managerial casualty of the season, coming after weeks of public tension with the ownership. The 51-year-old had twice criticised the club’s transfer strategy in August, calling his squad “unbalanced” and warning they were “very, very far” from being ready for the new campaign.
The relationship deteriorated further when Nuno revealed on August 22 that his connection with Marinakis was “not the same” as the previous season. “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” he admitted when asked about speculation regarding his future.
Sources indicate the final straw came after a disagreement over the signing of Adama Traore, with Nuno’s wishes overruled by Edu. Despite Marinakis publicly backing his coach on August 29, stating Nuno was “the right man for the job,” the relationship proved irreparable.
Forest’s statement thanked Nuno for his “contribution during a very successful era,” particularly highlighting his role in securing European football. The Portuguese had taken charge in December 2023, replacing Steve Cooper, and successfully steered the club away from relegation before achieving a remarkable seventh-place finish last term.
Postecoglou’s Track Record
Postecoglou arrives with an extensive CV spanning 25 years in management across four continents. His appointment statement emphasised his trophy-winning pedigree, including A-League success with Brisbane Roar, J-League triumph with Yokohama F. Marinos, and a domestic treble at Celtic.
Most recently, he ended Tottenham’s 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League in May, defeating Bayern Munich 3-1 in the final in Bilbao. However, that triumph couldn’t mask a disastrous Premier League campaign where Spurs finished 17th, losing 22 of their 38 matches.
Tottenham dismissed him just 16 days after the European triumph, with his attacking philosophy proving both exhilarating and naive in equal measure. His insistence on playing high-risk, high-reward football regardless of circumstances divided opinion among supporters and pundits alike.
“After enjoying very successful seasons with Brisbane Roar and Yokohama F. Marinos, winning the League with both clubs, he was appointed manager of Celtic in June 2021,” Forest’s statement noted. “A successful tenure in Glasgow saw Postecoglou win the domestic double in his first season in Scotland and the treble in his second year.”
Immediate Challenges Ahead
Postecoglou inherits a squad that started the season promisingly with a 3-1 victory over Brentford but has since stuttered. A 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace was followed by Saturday’s comprehensive 3-0 home defeat to West Ham, with goals from Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta and Callum Wilson exposing defensive frailties.
The Australian’s attacking philosophy could prove a dramatic shift from Nuno’s more pragmatic approach. Known for his “Angeball” style featuring aggressive pressing and possession-based football, Postecoglou will need to quickly implement his methods with limited preparation time.
His immediate priority will be preparing for Saturday’s trip to the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal, who defeated Manchester City 4-1 at the weekend, represent formidable opposition for any new manager’s debut, particularly one with just days to work with his squad.
The international break provides some respite, though many of Forest’s players will be away on international duty. Postecoglou plans to bring in his own backroom team, with reports suggesting Mile Jedinak, Sergio Raimundo, Nick Montgomery and Rob Burch will join him at the City Ground.
Europa League Ambitions
Beyond immediate Premier League concerns, Postecoglou must navigate Forest’s European campaign. The club’s first continental adventure since 1995 begins with a home fixture against Utrecht, providing an opportunity for the new coach to make an immediate impact.
His European pedigree, particularly last season’s Europa League triumph with Tottenham, will be crucial. Forest were elevated from the Conference League to Europa League after Crystal Palace’s demotion due to multi-club ownership rules, presenting an unexpected opportunity for glory.
“After gaining promotion to the Premier League, then building consistently season after season to secure European football, we now must take the right step to compete with the very best and challenge for trophies,” Marinakis explained. “Ange has the credentials and the track-record to do this.”
Squad Assessment Required
Postecoglou inherits a squad significantly strengthened during the summer transfer window. Forest spent almost £100 million on new arrivals including James McAtee from Manchester City, Omari Hutchinson from Chelsea, Arnaud Kalimuendo from Paris Saint-Germain and Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa.
Late deadline day additions saw full-backs Nicolo Savona and Oleksandr Zinchenko arrive alongside goalkeeper John Victor and winger Dilane Bakwa. These signings addressed Nuno’s concerns about squad depth but came too late to save his position.
The new coach must quickly assess his options and implement his tactical blueprint. His preference for attacking full-backs and ball-playing defenders could suit recent arrivals, though question marks remain over whether Forest’s squad can adapt to his demanding physical style.
Callum Hudson-Odoi, who scored against Crystal Palace, represents the type of dynamic wide player who thrived under Postecoglou at Celtic. Similarly, Morgan Gibbs-White’s creativity could flourish in a more expansive system.
Fan Reaction Mixed
The appointment has divided opinion among Forest supporters. While some welcome the arrival of a coach with recent trophy success, others question whether Postecoglou’s poor Premier League record with Tottenham makes him suitable for the role.
His 18-month contract, shorter than typical managerial appointments, suggests even the hierarchy harbour some doubts. The deal’s length mirrors the remaining time on Nuno’s contract, potentially limiting compensation costs.
Critics point to Postecoglou’s stubborn adherence to his philosophy regardless of circumstances. His Tottenham side often appeared naive, persisting with a high defensive line despite repeated exposure to counter-attacks.
Supporters of the appointment highlight his success in quickly implementing an attractive playing style at every club. His Celtic side won the league title in his first season, while his impact at Brisbane Roar and Yokohama F. Marinos was similarly immediate.
Historical Context
Postecoglou becomes Forest’s fourth permanent manager since returning to the Premier League in 2022. Chris Hughton’s brief tenure was followed by Steve Cooper’s successful consolidation before Nuno’s impressive but ultimately short-lived reign.
The managerial merry-go-round reflects Marinakis’s demanding standards and willingness to make changes when relationships sour. The Greek owner’s hands-on approach and strong opinions on recruitment create a challenging environment for any coach.
Forest’s last truly successful manager was Frank Clark, who led the club to third place in the Premier League and a UEFA Cup quarter-final in 1995. Postecoglou’s European experience could prove vital in matching those achievements three decades later.
Looking Forward
As Forest prepare for a new era under Postecoglou, questions remain about the club’s direction and stability. The Australian must quickly build relationships with players, staff and supporters while implementing significant tactical changes.
His reunion with Tottenham on December 14 at the City Ground will provide an intriguing subplot to the season. Before then, establishing Forest’s identity and securing Premier League stability remain paramount.
The appointment represents a gamble from Marinakis, backing a coach whose methods guarantee entertainment but not necessarily results. Whether Postecoglou can blend his attacking philosophy with the pragmatism required for Premier League survival will determine his success.
For now, Forest fans must prepare for a dramatic shift in style and approach. The Postecoglou era promises excitement, goals and controversy in equal measure as the City Ground braces for “Angeball.”
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