Forest swoops for Postecoglou after sacking Nuno

LONDON — Nottingham Forest appointed Ange Postecoglou as manager on Tuesday to replace Nuno Espirito Santo, who was sacked following a dispute with club owner Evangelos Marinakis.

Nuno led Forest to European qualification for the first time in 30 years by finishing seventh in the Premier League last season.

But, he became the first Premier League manager to lose his job this season after publicly stating that his relationship with Greek billionaire Marinakis had deteriorated.

Postecoglou himself was sacked by Tottenham Hotspur in June, just days after winning the Europa League. Despite ending Spurs'17-year wait to win a trophy, the Australian was dismissed due to the side's worst league finish since 1976-77, ending the season 17th.

However, Marinakis backed the 60-year-old, who has won trophies at Tottenham, Celtic, Yokohama Marinos and during his spell in charge of Australia, to continue that record at the City Ground.

"We are bringing a coach to the club who has a proven and consistent record of winning trophies," said Marinakis.

"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."

Greek-born Postecoglou will take charge of Forest, which sits 10th in the Premier League on four points after three games, for the first time in Saturday's daunting trip to Arsenal.

Marinakis is hoping Postecoglou can repeat his Europa League success, with Forest among the favorites to win the competition.

But Postecoglou's attacking style is vastly different to the cautious approach that reaped rewards for Nuno at the club.

"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," added Marinakis.

"Ange has the credentials and the track-record to do this, and we are excited he is joining us on our ambitious journey."

Relationship 'changed'

Nuno took charge in December 2023 after Steve Cooper was sacked and went on to save the club from relegation.

Forest surpassed all expectations last season, but cracks in the relationship between Nuno and Marinakis began to show after missing a promising opportunity to qualify for the Champions League.

Marinakis appeared to confront Nuno on the pitch following a 2-2 draw against Leicester in May, although the club claimed that was due to the decision to let striker Taiwo Awoniyi play on following an 88th-minute injury that later required urgent abdominal surgery.

Nuno was then publicly critical of Forest's transfer activity before the season began, saying that he was "worried" about the team's prospects, and that his squad had been left "unbalanced".

Forest eventually brought in 13 players, as new sporting director Edu Gaspar took a more hands-on role in signings.

"Following recent circumstances, Nuno Espirito Santo has today been relieved of his duties as head coach," Forest said in a statement released just after midnight on Tuesday morning.

"The club thanks Nuno for his contribution during a very successful era at the City Ground, in particular his role in the 2024-25 season, which will forever be remembered fondly in the history of the club."

AFP