Ange Postecoglou has joined Nottingham Forest on a two-year contract, replacing Nuno Espirito Santo.
Nottingham Forest are set to go through a big stylistic change, from a counter-attacking system to a possession-based approach.
Evangelos Marinakis is confident Postecoglou can win trophies for the East Midlanders, with part his statement reading: “After gaining promotion to the Premier League, then building consistently season after season to secure European football, we now must take the right step to compete with the very best and challenge for trophies.
“Ange has the credentials and the track record to do this, and we are excited he is joining us on our ambitious journey.”
Postecoglou will take training this week ahead of an away clash against Arsenal on the weekend, and already there is debate over who his striker will be going forward.
Nottingham Forest striker Arnaud Kalimuendo.
Photo by Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Ange Postecoglou appointment is good news for Arnaud Kalimuendo
There has been discourse among the Nottingham Forest fanbase around who will be Postecoglou’s first-choice striker.
Of course, it’s unlikely Chris Wood will drop to the bench immediately, but based on previous quotes, the Australian head coach likes his number nine to be athletic and high-pressing.
“At Celtic, I had Kyogo, who was a sort of out-and-out number nine and in Japan, I’ve always had a striker,” Postecoglou told Football London in 2024.
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“It just depends, like last year we had to be a bit creative, it’s to fair say. You know but if Harry would have stayed I definitely would have used him!
“So I think for us what’s more important is the type of striker we get. You know we play a certain way. We demand certain things from a physical perspective from the technical aspects of it that it’s going be a striker that fits that mould.”
That indicates Arnaud Kalimuendo could play a key role in Postecoglou’s system, as he brings more from a physical perspective in terms of making runs into the channels and stretching defences.
That’s simply not Wood’s game, so it’ll be interesting to see how the newly-appointed Forest boss navigates that dilemma.
Chris Wood should retain his spot in the Premier League
Wood turns 34 in December, so it’ll probably be too much to ask for him to play in the Premier League and in Europe.
So, Postecoglou could select Wood as his league striker and Kalimuendo to play in the Europa League, a competition he’s played in before.
The Frenchman has made 12 appearances in the competition throughout his career, so he’ll be familiar with how teams set up.
Igor Jesus is widely regarded as third choice, so he will have to take his opportunities off the bench and in domestic cup competitions.
Postecoglou can also rely on Taiwo Awoniyi, so there are plenty of options for the 60-year-old coach.