Ange Postecoglou has replaced Nuno Espirito Santo as Nottingham Forest’s brand-new manager.
Manchester City are set to face Forest in December and they will be hoping that the ‘new manager bounce’ phenomenon fades away by then.
Pep Guardiola has gone toe-to-toe against Ange Postecoglou on six occasions, winning three, drawing one and losing two games.
At one point, Postecoglou was linked with the Manchester City job and based on his track record, the Australian could fare well at Nottingham Forest after his appointment was confirmed on Tuesday.
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
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With James McAtee becoming a Forest player this summer, he would be hoping that the former Tottenham Hotspur boss has a transformative impact on his career.
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Ange Postecoglou could transform James McAtee at Nottingham Forest, worry for Pep Guardiola
If McAtee shines under Ange Postecoglou and develops into a top player after leaving Manchester City, one man who has every reason to be concerned is Pep Guardiola.
While it remains a mystery whether the Catalan sanctioned the Englishman’s sale, much like how Cole Palmer became a star at Chelsea and made City regret their decision to let him off, his countryman could do the same at Forest.
While Manchester City’s attacking midfielders such as Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden are more established players than McAtee, the same would have been said about Palmer when he left the Etihad Stadium in 2023.
James McAtee smiles after UEFA European Under-21 Championship final
Photo by Tullio Puglia – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Pep Guardiola wanted to keep McAtee and as a result, he will be aware of how the former City midfielder could explode into life at Nottingham Forest, especially under an attack-minded coach like Ange Postecoglou.
Furthermore, Postecoglou has shown that he can get the best out of a number 10 in the past — with both James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski thriving under the Europa League winner’s guidance.
Considering GiveMeSport revealed in May that Ange Postecoglou’s side were keen on signing McAtee, perhaps the 60-year-old always had a plan in place for the Manchester City academy graduate.
Nottingham Forest have already decided how to use James McAtee
So far, the Stockport-born technician has only come off the bench for Forest.
However, upon Ange Postecoglou’s arrival, McAtee has a chance of nailing down his place as a starter for Nottingham Forest.
The Athletic reported that Forest intend to deploy the England U-21 international in his natural position as a number 10.
Considering Postecoglou has historically played three midfielders, the youngster could form a potentially exciting partnership alongside Morgan Gibbs-White.
Pep Guardiola will be hoping McAtee becomes one of Nottingham Forest’s main men but simultaneously, questions may be asked of the legendary manager if the player turns into a superstar.