Ange Postecoglou has officially been appointed as the head coach of Nottingham Forest, taking the reins after the sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo. The announcement comes shortly after Nuno’s departure from the City Ground late on Monday night, where he served as manager for 21 months, ultimately leaving after just three games into the new Premier League season.
Postecoglou’s return to management is noteworthy, particularly as it follows only three months after his own dismissal from Tottenham Hotspur. During his time at Spurs, he faced significant challenges, culminating in a disappointing Premier League campaign that saw the team finish in a precarious 17th place. However, it is important to recognize that amid these struggles, the 60-year-old Australian coach did manage to lead the squad to a historic victory in the Europa League, effectively ending the club’s lengthy search for silverware.
Evangelos Marinakis, the owner of Nottingham Forest, expressed strong confidence in Postecoglou’s abilities, stating, “We are bringing a coach to the club who has a proven and consistent record of winning trophies.” He further noted that Postecoglou’s experience at high levels of coaching and his ambition to build something special at Forest makes him an excellent fit for the club. This exciting appointment comes at a time when Forest currently sits in 10th place in the Premier League table after three matches this season.
Nuno’s tenure at Nottingham Forest came to an abrupt end following a disheartening 3-0 defeat to West Ham before the international break in September. The Portuguese coach had initially taken over in December 2023 after the dismissal of Steve Cooper. Under Nuno’s leadership, the team managed to secure their top-flight status, and he notably guided the club to an impressive seventh-place finish in the Premier League last season—their best performance since 1994-95—enabling them to qualify for European competition for the first time in thirty years.
Marinakis further emphasized the club’s ambitions for the future, mentioning, “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.” He articulated his excitement for Postecoglou’s appointment, citing that the new coach’s credentials and track record perfectly align with Nottingham Forest’s goals.
Interestingly, reports indicate that the players at Forest were taken aback by Nuno’s sudden departure, as many of them were on international duty and were not expected back until later in the week. The news of the change in management spread quickly, with some players learning about the decision from their teammates.
Postecoglou’s first match at the helm will see Nottingham Forest face Arsenal this coming Saturday. He becomes the eighth permanent manager under Marinakis’s ownership since he took over in May 2017.
Reflecting on his time at Tottenham, Postecoglou’s season was marked by an unfortunate record, with the team suffering 22 defeats across 38 league matches and finishing with just 38 points—marking their worst-ever finish in the Premier League history. The club’s defensive struggles were evident as they conceded 65 goals, with only Wolves and the relegated teams of Leicester, Ipswich, and Southampton allowing more goals.
Yet, in a remarkable twist, Postecoglou had previously led Spurs to their first major trophy in 17 years when they claimed a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final. This victory secured the team a spot in the Champions League, but just 16 days later, he was dismissed from the club. The new Spurs management, which appointed Thomas Frank as Postecoglou’s successor, acknowledged his contributions, highlighting that he would be remembered for delivering “one of the club’s greatest moments” in terms of winning a European trophy.
Having finished fifth during his inaugural season, Postecoglou initially gained acclaim for implementing an attacking style of play. However, that praise was soon tempered as he faced mounting criticism for adhering to his principles, all while managing a growing list of injuries to key players. Now, as he embarks on a new chapter at Nottingham Forest, both the club and its supporters will be hopeful for a fresh start and renewed success under his guidance.
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