LONDON – Nottingham Forest swoop for Postecoglou in a dramatic turn of events that has shaken the early stages of the 2025/26 Premier League season. The club made headlines this week after parting ways with head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, who became the first Premier League manager to be dismissed this season.
Nuno’s departure follows reports of a deteriorating relationship with club owner Evangelos Marinakis, despite leading the team to a historic European qualification last season. Forest’s bold move to potentially appoint former Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou signals a new era for the club—one that promises attacking flair and renewed ambition.
Nuno Espirito Santo was hailed as a saviour when he took over from Steve Cooper in December 2023, steering Nottingham Forest away from relegation and eventually finishing seventh in the Premier League—their highest position in decades, earning them a long-awaited return to European competition.
However, cracks began to appear behind the scenes. Nuno voiced frustration over Forest’s summer transfer dealings and publicly admitted that his relationship with Greek billionaire owner Marinakis had “changed” and become strained.
“I always had a very good relationship with the owner. Last season we were very close and spoke on a daily basis. This season, it is not so well,” Nuno said in a recent interview. His open criticism of the club’s squad-building and concerns over an “unbalanced” team reportedly did little to repair the fractured rapport with management.
A crushing 3-0 defeat to struggling West Ham at the City Ground proved to be the final straw. In the early hours of Tuesday morning, the club released a statement confirming his dismissal:
“Following recent circumstances, Nuno Espírito Santo has today been relieved of his duties as head coach. The club thanks Nuno for his contribution during a very successful era at the City Ground.”
Nottingham Forest Swoop for Postecoglou in Bold Managerial Move
Now, Nottingham Forest swoop for Postecoglou, who is on the verge of making a rapid return to Premier League management. British media report that the Australian tactician could be announced as Forest’s new head coach before their high-stakes clash with Arsenal on Saturday.
Postecoglou was sacked by Tottenham Hotspur in June, just days after winning the UEFA Europa League—Spurs’ first major trophy in 17 years. Despite the silverware, his tenure ended on a sour note due to a disastrous Premier League campaign that saw Spurs finish 17th, narrowly avoiding relegation.
Forest’s potential appointment of Postecoglou suggests a clear intent to embrace a more expansive and aggressive style of football, in stark contrast to Nuno’s pragmatic and defense-focused system.
Club owner Evangelos Marinakis, a shipping magnate with a history of ambitious decisions, appears to be banking on Postecoglou’s European pedigree to take Forest to the next level. The Greek-born manager’s recent success in Europe—and his connection to Marinakis’ homeland—makes him an attractive choice.
Forest are among the early favourites to make a deep run in this year’s Europa League, and Postecoglou’s appointment would boost their credentials significantly. His experience with Celtic and Spurs has shown he can compete in Europe, and his attack-minded philosophy could galvanize Forest’s squad.
However, questions remain over whether Postecoglou’s style will suit Forest’s current setup. Under Nuno, the club thrived using a solid defensive core and efficient counter-attacks. A shift toward high pressing and expansive build-up play will require tactical adjustments and possibly new signings.
Behind the scenes, the managerial change is the culmination of months of tension. Following a 2-2 draw with Leicester City in May, Marinakis was seen confronting Nuno on the pitch—reportedly over an injury decision involving striker Taiwo Awoniyi. That incident was downplayed by the club, but it signaled growing unease.
Despite Forest eventually signing 13 new players under new sporting director Edu Gaspar, Nuno remained dissatisfied, repeatedly voicing concerns about the team’s readiness for the season.
The friction escalated into a complete breakdown in communication, with Nuno revealing that he and Marinakis had barely spoken. Though they were set to meet during the international break, the club ultimately chose to sever ties after poor early-season form.
As the Nottingham Forest swoop for Postecoglou progresses, fans and pundits alike are watching closely. The club sits 10th in the Premier League with four points from three games—hardly a crisis, but far from the momentum they hoped to carry from last season.
If Postecoglou is confirmed before the Arsenal match, he’ll face an immediate test against a top-four contender. More importantly, he’ll need to quickly implement his philosophy and unify a dressing room recovering from internal upheaval.
One thing is clear: Nottingham Forest’s ambitions are growing, and the decision to replace Nuno with Postecoglou underscores their desire to not just compete—but to win.
Source- EWN
