Ange Postecoglou Takes Charge at Nottingham Forest
Ange Postecoglou is back in Premier League management, and this time it’s with Nottingham Forest. The announcement came just hours after Nuno EspÃrito Santo was sacked, bringing an end to his 21-month spell in charge of the club. For many fans, the decision was a surprise, given Nuno had guided Forest to European football for the first time in three decades. But as often happens in football, timing and relationships can matter as much as results.
Postecoglou’s return has happened quickly. He was only away from the Premier League for three games after being dismissed by Tottenham in June. Despite leading Spurs to a Europa League title and once again proving his reputation as a serial winner, a disappointing league campaign saw him forced out. Now, at 60 years old, he’s been handed another big opportunity—this time to build something lasting at the City Ground.
Also Read:Forest’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, has long admired Postecoglou. The Greek shipping magnate even presented him with an award earlier this year for his achievements in Europe. In his statement, Marinakis described Postecoglou as a coach with a “proven and consistent record of winning trophies” and said his experience and ambition were exactly what Forest needed to take the next step.
It’s worth noting just how far Forest have come under Nuno. When he arrived in late 2023, the club was struggling in 17th place. Within months, he stabilized the team and then pushed them to a seventh-place finish last season—their best since 1995. That run secured a European spot, ending a 30-year wait. Yet behind the scenes, tensions with Marinakis were evident. Their relationship soured over time, and a poor run of form at the end of last season gave the owner the excuse to act.
The decision to move on from Nuno reflects Marinakis’ demanding standards. He has cycled through seven managers since taking control of Forest in 2017, and he clearly believes Postecoglou has the right profile to match his ambitions of competing for trophies. It’s a bold move, but one that fits the owner’s vision.
For Postecoglou, the first test could hardly be tougher: an away trip to Arsenal at the Emirates. It’s the type of game that will immediately set the tone for his tenure. Later in the season, he’ll face his old club Tottenham at the City Ground, a match already circled on the calendar by fans and pundits alike.
So here we are—Nottingham Forest have swapped one respected coach for another, and Ange Postecoglou has been handed the task of lifting this historic club to the next level. If his track record is anything to go by, Forest supporters will believe trophies may not be too far away. The question now is whether he can turn potential into reality, and do it quickly, in one of the most unforgiving leagues in the world.
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