Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis sacked Nuno Espirito Santo this week because he was aware of growing interest in first choice replacement Ange Postecoglou, TBR Football understands.
Forest finished seventh last season and reached the FA Cup semi-finals, securing a Europa League place after an electric campaign. However, Espirito Santo spoke last month of a deteriorating relationship between him and owner Marinakis and he only lasted three games this season.
Marinakis acted quickly to replace Espirito Santo after making the decision to replace him on Monday night, as Forest announced former Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou on Tuesday.
[
Click to subscribe to the podcast ](https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondTheBackFour?sub_confirmation=1)
Nottingham Forest is delighted to confirm the appointment of Ange Postecoglou as the Club’s First Team Head Coach.
Postecoglou has been in management for over 25 years, arriving on Trentside with experience of regularly competing and winning trophies at the highest level.… pic.twitter.com/Yc2XLrZa7M
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) September 9, 2025
View Tweet
Postecoglou led Spurs to the Europa League title last season, but their 17th-placed finish in the Premier League ultimately cost him his job.
Ange Postecoglou stance on taking Nottingham Forest job after Evangelos Marinakis talks
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey reports that Evangelos Marinakis held talks with Ange Postecoglou over the summer, with the Australian keen to take over at the City Ground.
Bailey said: “I am told that Ange Postecoglou was anxious to take on the Nottingham Forest role – having talked to Evangelos Marinakis earlier this summer, he knew the plans that were in place and he believes the club are on the cusp of something special.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou lifts the Europa League trophy.
Photo by Alex Pantling – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
“We revealed in August that Marinakis and Postecoglou had spoken about the prospect of him coming into the club.
“Now with the Nuno situation at the club not improving, Marinakis has made the move – I can confirm that the Forest owner was made aware about Postecoglou’s situation, in that he has been generating a lot of interest.”
Ange Postecoglou turned down approach to replace Jose Mourinho at Fenerbahce before taking Nottingham Forest job
TBR Football understands that part of Evangelos Marinakis’ eagerness to appoint Postecoglou was an offer from Fenerbahce among other approaches.
With Nuno Espirito Santo’s behind-the-scenes relationship with Marinakis and new Head of Football Edu worsening over the summer, it is understood that Marinakis felt this was the right time to make the change.
Olympiacos FC v ACF Fiorentina - UEFA Europa Conference League Final 2023/24
Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images
Bailey explained: “Postecoglou turned down an approach from Fenerbahce, and I am told they are not the only offer he has received.
“Marinakis was becoming increasingly aware that if he wanted his top target, then he could not hang around and I believe that played a part in this decision happening now.
“But since August and the issues that arose with Nuno, Edu and Marinakis – the feeling within the club was when this was going to happen and not if.”