Nottingham Forest have made headlines across the football world by appointing Ange Postecoglou as their new head coach, marking a bold new era at the City Ground. The Australian tactician steps into the hot seat just three months after his abrupt dismissal from Tottenham Hotspur, where he delivered a historic UEFA Europa League triumph in May. Postecoglou replaces Nuno Espirito Santo, who was sacked late on Monday night, only three games into the 2025-26 Premier League season, despite guiding Forest to their highest league finish in three decades and a coveted spot in European competition.
The decision to part ways with Nuno, after just 21 months and a seventh-place finish last term, has left many Forest fans and players stunned. Nuno’s tenure saw the club rise from relegation candidates to European contenders, ending a 30-year absence from continental football. However, the Portuguese manager’s relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis had deteriorated, culminating in public comments about their strained partnership and reports of a rift with global sporting director Edu Gaspar. According to BBC Sport, “Nuno's position had been uncertain for two weeks since he publicly declared his relationship with Marinakis had deteriorated, while there were also suggestions of a rift with Forest's global sporting director Edu.”
Forest wasted no time in unveiling Postecoglou, confirming the appointment on Tuesday. The 60-year-old has signed a contract running through June 2027, according to multiple reports including ESPN and Sky Sports. Marinakis expressed his excitement, stating, “We are bringing a coach to the club who has a proven and consistent record of winning trophies. 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 and achieve consistently all our ambitions.”
Postecoglou’s managerial résumé is as globe-spanning as it is impressive. He’s lifted trophies in Australia, Japan, Scotland, and most recently England, where his two-year spell at Tottenham ended with the club’s first major silverware in 17 years—a 1-0 Europa League final win over Manchester United in Bilbao. While Spurs struggled domestically last season, finishing a disappointing 17th, Postecoglou’s European success was widely celebrated. As Tottenham acknowledged, he will be remembered for “delivering one of the club’s greatest moments” in European competition.
Despite the Europa League glory, Postecoglou’s high-octane, attacking philosophy at Spurs drew both praise and criticism. His teams are known for their aggressive pressing, fluid positional rotations, and a commitment to dominating possession—traits that could signal a significant tactical shift for Forest. As BBC Sport’s analysis notes, “Postecoglou’s sides have played in a 4-3-3 or 4-4-1-1 shape that aimed to dominate the ball, playing quickly with it, and pressing incredibly aggressively without it.” This stands in stark contrast to Nuno’s more conservative, counter-attacking approach, which relied on a deep defensive line and compact structure.
Forest’s summer transfer activity appears to have anticipated such a stylistic evolution. The arrivals of technically gifted players like James McAtee, Douglas Luiz, and Oleksandr Zinchenko—all with Manchester City pedigrees—suggest a desire to become more ball-dominant. Big-money signing Omari Hutchinson and Calum Hudson-Odoi, another Chelsea graduate, are also expected to thrive in a system that prioritizes creativity and technical ability. Yet, questions remain over how quickly the squad can adapt to Postecoglou’s demands, especially with defenders like Nikola Milenkovic and Ola Aina previously excelling in roles suited to Nuno’s system.
Postecoglou’s appointment has divided opinion among the Forest faithful. While some are excited by the prospect of swashbuckling football and a push for further European glory, others remain cautious. Pat Riddell, a Nottingham Forest fan writer, observed, “Postecoglou replacing Nuno is perhaps no surprise given the rumours over the past few weeks. However, he does not seem to be the most popular name among the fanbase. Forget the Europa League final win over a Manchester United side in turmoil. Postecoglou nearly relegated the ninth richest club in the world. His gung-ho tactics and high line will succeed spectacularly or fail miserably.”
Still, there’s no denying the ambition behind Forest’s move. Marinakis, who has owned the club since 2017, has cycled through seven managers in that time, always with an eye toward restoring the club’s former glory. Postecoglou, for his part, is hungry to prove himself in England once more. After his sacking at Spurs, he was linked with several clubs across Europe, but it’s Forest who have handed him the reins and a chance to shape a talented, upwardly mobile squad.
Forest’s current Premier League campaign is still in its infancy, with the club sitting 10th after three matches. Nuno’s final game was a sobering 3-0 defeat to West Ham before the international break, and the squad was reportedly caught off guard by his sudden departure. Many players are still away on international duty, with training set to resume under Postecoglou’s guidance later this week.
The Australian’s first test will be a daunting away trip to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on September 13. All eyes will be on how quickly he can implement his philosophy and what immediate impact he can make. The stakes are high—not only is there Premier League stability to maintain, but Forest also have the rare opportunity to compete in the UEFA Europa League, having been controversially elevated after Crystal Palace’s demotion due to UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules. If Postecoglou can guide Forest deep into Europe, he’ll join a select group of managers to win the Europa League with two different clubs.
Forest fans, and neutrals alike, will be watching with anticipation. Will Postecoglou’s attacking vision unlock a new level for Forest, or will the transition prove too abrupt for a squad built in Nuno’s image? One thing’s for sure—the City Ground is set for an intriguing, high-stakes chapter under Ange Postecoglou, and the journey begins in earnest on Saturday in North London.
With the dust still settling on a dramatic managerial change, Forest’s ambitions for the season remain as bold as ever. As the new boss takes charge, the club is poised on the brink of another unforgettable campaign—one that could define their trajectory for years to come.
