Ange Postecoglou had recently been linked with several clubs, including Manchester United, but he has seemingly decided to become the new Nottingham Forest head coach
11:44, 09 Sep 2025
Ange Postecoglou in May 2025
Ange Postecoglou looks set to be appointed as Nottingham Forest's new head coach(Image: Getty Images)
Ange Postecoglou has wasted no time in returning to the Premier League, with Nottingham Forest set to name the former Tottenham boss as their new head coach.
Postecoglou's appointment at the City Ground is expected to be announced in the next 24 hours. That means he'll be in the dugout when Forest travel to face Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday, with Postecoglou bringing along several members of his former Spurs backroom team, as per The Athletic.
The 60-year-old has been out of work since his shock dismissal in June. His sacking came two years after joining Spurs, despite guiding them to Europa League glory just 16 days prior.
But the Australian wasn't short of suitors as he weighed up his next managerial move during the summer. Reports claim he turned down approaches from Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahli and Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
The Super Lig outfit had recently parted ways with Jose Mourinho after just over a year, with the club hierarchy demanding "better football". The Istanbul-based club are believed to have held discussions with Postecoglou, along with former Italy national team manager Luciano Spalletti, who also rejected them.
That's because Postecoglou was determined to have another go at the Premier League. Fox Sports News' Robbie Slater, who played for Southampton and West Ham, said: "He wants to go back to England, I know that. 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's head coach Ange Postecoglou celebrates after winning the Europa League final soccer match against Manchester United at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, Wednesday, May 21, 2025.
Ange Postecoglou was sacked after winning the Europa League with Tottenham(Image: AP)
The former Spurs head coach emerged as a candidate for the Forest position following Nuno Espirito Santo's exit after his falling-out with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis and new global head of football, Edu. The Portuguese risked the Greek businessman's wrath when he went public about their souring relationship.
A 3-0 defeat by West Ham sealed his fate, despite all of Nuno's success in Nottingham, having already engaged in a heated on-pitch row with Marinakis following a match towards the end of last season.
Taking charge at Forest will hand Postecoglou another opportunity to win the Europa League. The club is enjoying an upward trajectory and has been promoted to the competition at the expense of FA Cup winners Crystal Palace.
Forest's highly divisive owner Marinakis has made no secret of his admiration for the Greek-born tactician. While presenting Postecoglou with an award earlier this year in Greece, the billionaire said, "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.
"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.
Ruben Amorim looking dejected
Ruben Amorim is having a torrid time at Manchester United(Image: Getty Images)
"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."
Despite Forest having been his likeliest destination all along, Manchester United had also been described as an option for him. That first required Ruben Amorim to depart the club after a hugely difficult start to the season, despite spending heavily on new signings in an effort to change his side's fortunes.
"When you look at it, I wouldn't rule out Manchester United the way things are going with Amorim," Slater had told Fox Sports. "I think those three clubs, United, West Ham, Forest, look dodgy in respect to their managers."
Despite Postecoglou coming out on top when he faced Amorim in the Europa League final, the Australian's poor finish in the Premier League last season led to his Spurs sacking, and likely didn't fill the Red Devils hierarchy with confidence.
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Postecoglou had also been linked with West Ham, although Graham Potter seems to have saved his job for now with a victory over Forest that dragged the Hammers clear of the relegation zone. There's a possibility that a slump in results after the international break could be the final straw, potentially leading to the Englishman's dismissal, though Postecoglou will no longer be on standby.