Australian coach speaks after joining Premier League club, ahead of Arsenal match

Nottingham Forest’s new manager Ange Postecoglou is adamant he can handle the pressure of turning his club into trophy winners as he prepares for his debut against Arsenal on Saturday.

Postecoglou was hired by Forest earlier this week, returning to the Premier League just three months after being sacked by Tottenham.

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The Australian, who lost his job at Tottenham 16 days after winning the Europa League, arrived at the City Ground following Nuno Espirito Santo’s dismissal.

Nuno fell out with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis over the club’s transfer policy and paid the price despite leading them to European qualification for the first time in 30 years.

Marinakis hailed Postecoglou’s appointment by insisting Forest are ready to challenge for silverware.

That might seem an ambitious statement given Forest have not won a major trophy since the 1990 League Cup.

But Postecoglou delivered on his boast that he always wins a trophy in his second season while at Tottenham and the 60-year-old knows he might have to achieve success even more quickly to satisfy Marinakis.

“I have won a couple in my first season. At Celtic I won a double in my first,” he said on Thursday, cheekily interupting a reporter.

“I may have to win one to get a second year here. That’s what I want to do. I want to win trophies.”

He added: “Every club wants to be successful, but since the president took over the club those ambitions are backed up with actions. Perfect conditions for me.”

If Postecoglou can win a trophy for Forest, he would follow in the footsteps of Brian Clough, who led the club to a pair of European Cups and the English title during the club’s golden era in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

However, Postecoglou did not want to be compared to Clough as he looks to create his own legacy.

“He’s a standalone legend. He’s one of these figures you cannot compare to,” said the Australian.

“He’s one of the most legendary figures going around. He did it at a football club where no one expected that. If I can bring similar joy to this club and this city, I’ll be a very happy man.”

Postecoglou was criticised for his ultra-attacking tactics at Tottenham, which contrast with the cautious style that brought Forest success under Nuno.

The Australian’s game-plan was exposed as Tottenham finished 17th last season but he will not compromise.

“I do like my teams to play exciting football and score goals. Get fans excited for sure. No apologies about that. That’s just the way I am and the way I want to see my teams play,” Postecoglou said.

“The fans are not going to love me from the first day. I’ve got to earn their respect.”

ANGE’S ADMISSION OVER SPURS SACKING

Postecoglou said he knew he was going to be sacked by Tottenham well before he ended their long trophy drought by winning the Europa League.

“It wasn’t great. I knew it was coming so it wasn’t a surprise. I knew it was coming a fair way before the final,” he told reporters.

“We won it and had the parade and had a great three days and I didn’t want to tarnish that, but I knew it was done.

“From my perspective, I had the chance to process it. Whether I feel it was unjust, other people make those decisions, they make those determinations.” Postecoglou endured a turbulent two years at Tottenham.

The former Celtic manager got off to a flying start but his first season ended in disappointment when Spurs blew an opportunity to qualify for the Champions League.

Their decline in 2024/25 was stark, with miserable league results proving his downfall despite the European triumph, which secured Champions League action this season for his successor Thomas Frank.

“I had two years where it was very challenging but we were with some fantastic people in the football department,” Postecoglou said.

“The supporters, we’ve put through some tough times, but there isn’t a Spurs supporter that I come across now that doesn’t want to hug me and take me home for dinner.

“So I must have done something right. I’m very proud of what we achieved there. It will always take a special place in my heart.” Spurs have since parted company with chairman Daniel Levy, who was instrumental in Postecoglou’s dismissal.

The 60-year-old was diplomatic when asked about Levy’s exit. “I didn’t have a great deal of interaction with Daniel Levy. I tend to get on with my daily business and do what I need to do,” he said.

“He was there for a very long time. He invested a hell of a lot in the football club in terms of building it up to where it was.

“Obviously, he appointed me so I’ve got to be thankful for that.”

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