Ange Postecoglou began life as Nottingham Forest manager as he ended his spell at Tottenham, defiantly defending his pressing style of play.
Postecoglou was unveiled as new Forest manager on Thursday after replacing Nuno Espirito Santo this week. He won the Europa League with Tottenham last season but was sacked by their former chairman Daniel Levy.
Postecoglou came out fighting in his first media appearance since that sacking, telling reporters at Nottingham Forest that he did not expect to lose his job at Spurs, but also that he didn’t have a point to prove.
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Ange Postecoglou poses for a photo in the stands as he unveiled as Nottingham Forest head coach at City Ground
Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images
Postecoglou’s ability to impose his pressing style on Forest’s squad has been questioned, but the Australian was clear in how he would approach that issue, starting on Saturday against Arsenal.
Ange Postecoglou gives firm answer to reporters regarding his playing style
Asked directly how he felt his approach would work with his new Forest squad, Postecoglou was defiant on Thursday, saying: “I want my team to play football and it’s exciting, it gets people talking.
“From my perspective I’ll always try and do things a little bit differently. I’m never going to go away from my principles.
“I do like my teams to play exciting football and score goals and get fans excited. I make no apologies about that, that’s just the way I am. We want to dominate the ball and score goals. All of it with the end goal of winning football games.
“If you win games then you can win trophies. I see a group of players and the opportunity to build something will be good to watch.”
Ange Postecoglou answer tells Mikel Arteta how to prepare for Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
Postecoglou’s confirmation that he will not abandon his principles will simplify Mikel Arteta’s preparations ahead of Saturday’s lunchtime fixture between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.
Ange Postecoglou speaks during a press conference as he unveiled as Nottingham Forest head coach at City Ground
Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images
With Postecoglou replacing Nuno Espirito Santo and bringing with him a completely different style of football, that could represent an unpredictable opponent for Mikel Arteta.
However, having come up against Postecoglou at Tottenham for the previous two seasons, confirmation that he will adopt the same attacking principles hands Arteta an idea of how Forest will set up under their new management team.
Arteta and Postecoglou have met four times as managers, with Arteta winning three times and achieving one draw. Arsenal did the double over Postecoglou’s Tottenham last season.