After only three match weeks in the new season of the Premier League, Ange Postecoglou may already be a chance to return to the English top flight.
The Australian manager, who was sacked by Tottenham following their Europa League triumph in May, was thrust back into the spotlight in recent weeks as reports emerged of the former Tottenham boss being among the contenders to take over at Nottingham Forest.
Current Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo would no doubt feel hard done by if he gets the sack, given he delivered the two-time European champions continental football for the first time since 1996 with a seventh-place finish last season.
Get all the latest football news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!
Football politics can be brutal, however, and a rift between Nuno and Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has prompted reports that the Portuguese manager could be on his way out of Nottingham.
Postecoglou, who celebrated his 60th birthday last week, knows all too well how success does not guarantee a manager’s job, but he could be the beneficiary this time around given his relationship with Marinakis.
Forest is not the only club that could present Postecoglou with his next job, however, with Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim hinting at an exit, and West Ham boss Graham Potter under the pump.
Pressure mounts on Nuno after thrashing | 00:50
It remains to be seen how things will play out at each of those clubs, but one thing that is clear is that Postecoglou wants another crack at the best football league in the world.
“He wants to go back to England, I know that,” former Socceroo Robbie Slater told Fox Sports News.
“Graham Arnold met up with him recently, and had a great conversation with him, and he wants to go back to the Premier League.
“We know Tottenham didn’t have a great season in respect to their Premier League position, 17th.
“But they did win the Europa League, that’s a big thing.
Tottenham Hotspur's Greek-Australian Head Coach Ange Postecoglou holds aloft the Europa League trophy.
Tottenham Hotspur's Greek-Australian Head Coach Ange Postecoglou holds aloft the Europa League trophy.Source: AFP
“When you look at it, I wouldn’t rule out Manchester United the way things are going with Amorim.
“Certainly, Nottingham Forest, West Ham, in particular, are an option.
“I think those three clubs, United, West Ham, Forest look dodgy in respect to their managers.
“It’s intriguing isn’t it? Three clubs with potential for Ange.
“You wouldn’t even be surprised if he’d already spoken to someone from one of these clubs.”
Scroll down for an analysis of the three Premier League clubs where Postecoglou could coach next.
Isak sold to Liverpool for record fee | 00:30
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Nuno said in the lead up to Forest welcoming West Ham to the City Ground on the weekend that he believes he will patch things up with Marinakis during the coming fortnight’s international break.
The Greek businessman, who earned his fortune in the shipping industry, also tried to play down any concerns at last week’s Europa League draw in Monaco, saying he can see Nuno continuing to lead the team going forward.
But a 3-0 loss to the battling Hammers may have eroded any positive sentiments.
The pair have always had a tricky relationship despite Nuno undoubtedly bringing success to Nottingham.
They even clashed on the sidelines after a match late last Premier League season, and the dynamic between them can turn volatile at the drop of a hat.
Nottingham Forest's Portuguese manager Nuno Espirito Santo (R) speaks with Nottingham Forest's Greek co-owner Evangelos Marinakis (L) at the end of the English Premier League football match between Nottingham Forest and Leicester City.
Nottingham Forest's Portuguese manager Nuno Espirito Santo (R) speaks with Nottingham Forest's Greek co-owner Evangelos Marinakis (L) at the end of the English Premier League football match between Nottingham Forest and Leicester City.Source: AFP
If Marinakis has had enough of Nuno, he may turn his eye towards Postecoglou, a manager he is clearly fond of.
When presenting the former Tottenham boss an award earlier this year in Greece for his achievements in football, Marinakis shared his pleasure with Postecoglou’s connection to the nation of his birth.
“What I want to say about Ange is that he has spoken about Greece many times, he is proud to be Greek and in the great success he had with Tottenham by winning the Europa League, he spoke about Greece,” Marinakis said.
“A man who not only does not hide his origin but is also proud of it.
“What he achieved, he did with a team that has not won any titles, it has had a very difficult time in recent years. In this huge success that the whole world saw, he promoted Greece.
“We must thank him especially for this and we wish him well, although we are sure that he will do well as he has the ability.
“Wherever he goes, the successes will come.”
Postecoglou landing in Nottingham would give the Australian a shot at going back-to-back in the Europa League.
Forest were promoted to the secondary European competition at the expense of FA Cup winners Crystal Palace, who were booted out over multi-ownership rules.
Marinkas may view continental success as the vehicle to return the two-time European Cup winners to the Champions League, after they were in the top five for much of last Premier League before falling to seventh late.
Although, there are a few other well-credentialed managers available with former Manchester United bosses Jose Mourinho, Erik ten Hag and Ole Gunnar Solskjær all sacked by their respective clubs in the past week.
Leverkusen sack Ten Hag after 3 games! | 00:25
WEST HAM
Graham Potter may have saved his job in the short-term with the Hammers’ shock 3-0 victory at Forest to lift them off the bottom of the table and secure their first points of the season.
But that does not mean things cannot turn again after the international break, especially with home matches against London rivals Tottenham and Crystal Palace as well as an away day at Arsenal in their next four league contests.
The fan base never take kindly to poor displays against their rivals.
Potter arrived at the London Stadium in January, and the Hammers finished 14th in a disappointing campaign.
The fans expected the club to chase new attacking weapons in the transfer window, but their signings were largely confined to defenders.
There was next to no positivity surrounding West Ham before their trip to the City Ground, especially given days earlier they were knocked out of the League Cup by Wolves, who are the only team yet to pick up a point this Premier League season.
West Ham United manager Graham Potter, left, and Tomas Soucek shake hands after the final whistle in the English League Cup second round match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United at Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton, England, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP)
West Ham United manager Graham Potter, left, and Tomas Soucek shake hands after the final whistle in the English League Cup second round match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United at Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton, England, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP)Source: AP
Before Sunday’s victory, Potter admitting that everyone at the club is “hurting”.
“I’m an experienced manager, I try my best and it’s my job to help the players,” he said.
“We’re all hurting, because the pre-season was encouraging. But the results haven’t been what we want and we are not shying away from the fact that things haven’t been good.
“But at the same time, there are a lot connections and commitment in the team. And I don’t think we are far away from a performance and a result that gets things on a good path.”
Potter was right in predicting a good performance, but he will need a lot more of them.
West Ham fans have made a habit of feisty protests against the club in recent years, and the hierarchy have a big stadium to fill.
Postecoglou’s attacking style of play may be the answer they turn to if things get worse.
Socceroos begin prep for 'Soccer Ashes' | 01:05
MANCHESTER UNITED
Now, this would be massive.
Postecoglou ending up at Old Trafford is probably the least likely scenario out of the three clubs, but if the tea leaves are correct, United will be bringing in a new manager soon.
Last week’s loss to fourth tier Grimsby Town will haunt Ruben Amorim as long as he remains in Manchester, but what he had said indicates he may jump before he is pushed as the humiliating defeats mount up.
“I’m going to say sometimes I hate my players, sometimes I love my players, sometimes I want to defend my players,” Amorim said in a press conference before VAR awarded United a stoppage time penalty to secure a 3-2 win against newly promoted Burnley.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim reacts on the sideline during an English League Cup second round soccer match against Grimsby Town, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, at Hill Blundell Park in Grimsby, England. (Nigel French/PA via AP)
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim reacts on the sideline during an English League Cup second round soccer match against Grimsby Town, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, at Hill Blundell Park in Grimsby, England. (Nigel French/PA via AP)Source: AP
“This is my way of doing things and I’m going to be like that.”
“Sometimes I want to quit, sometimes I want to be here for 20 years,” he added.
“Sometimes I love to be with my players, sometimes I don’t want to be with them.
“I need to improve on that. It’s going to be hard.”
Amorim considers future after shock loss | 02:27
If Amorim does depart, United are running out of options given it is unlikely that they would reinstate Jose Mourinho or some of the other former Red Devils managers who are without a job at present.
Postecoglou’s most reason Premier League season would likely count against him the minds of the Old Trafford hierarchy, but if there is one thing that ‘The Theatre of Dreams’ was built on, it was attacking football.
United fans love a team that attacks almost relentlessly, and pulls off epic comebacks.
Postecoglou would no doubt deliver that.