Could Ange Postecoglou Be Heading to Nottingham Forest?

It’s only two rounds into the new Premier League season, but the annual managerial merry-go-round already looks set to begin — and once again, Ange Postecoglou’s name is in the mix.

First under the spotlight is Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espírito Santo. The Portuguese manager’s relationship with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has soured after disputes over transfer policy. Once in daily contact, the pair are now barely speaking, with Espírito Santo admitting after Forest’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace: “It is not so close now… there’s no smoke without fire.” A showdown with the fiery Greek billionaire is expected this week, but there’s no guarantee the coach will survive beyond the transfer window.

Should the axe fall, speculation quickly turns to Postecoglou. Fresh from ending Tottenham Hotspur’s 17-year trophy drought with last season’s Europa League triumph, the Australian is among Europe’s most respected free agents. Forest, two-time European Cup winners under Brian Clough, represent exactly the sort of historic club and ambitious project that could tempt him.

There are obstacles. Forest’s squad, built for Espírito Santo’s counter-attacking pragmatism, would need a major overhaul to suit Postecoglou’s possession-heavy “Angeball.” More significantly, Marinakis is notorious for his short fuse and hands-on ownership style. He has cycled through seven managers at Forest since 2017 — and 16 at Olympiacos in 14 years.

Yet Marinakis is also a self-confessed admirer of Postecoglou. Just last month, he presented him with an award for becoming the first Greek to win the Europa League, praising him for promoting Greece “with pride” and predicting further success wherever he coaches.

Postecoglou, meanwhile, has kept a low profile since leaving Spurs, surfacing only in a viral video dining in Athens and reportedly preparing a retirement home in Greece. But he has made no secret of his desire to return to management, declaring at that same award ceremony: “I’m not done yet.”

Forest aren’t the only potential landing spot. West Ham manager Graham Potter is also under early pressure after back-to-back heavy defeats, and vice-chair Karren Brady has previously described Postecoglou as a manager destined to make a major impact in England.

Still, for now, the Premier League waits. The narrative around Postecoglou is shifting — some critics say Tottenham are better off under successor Thomas Frank — but his track record suggests writing him off is dangerous. If Forest or another struggling club takes the gamble, history suggests Ange will once again have the last word.