Ange Postecoglou has used his media duties at Nottingham Forest to push back against critics who have tried to label him throughout his career.
The former Celtic boss, now in charge at the City Ground, made clear that his philosophy has always been rooted in one thing, winning.
Postecoglou has long faced suggestions that his style is one-dimensional, a criticism that followed him even while delivering major success in Australia, Japan, Scotland and England.
He explained that people often misunderstand the reasons behind his attacking approach.
Postecoglou insisted that while entertainment and attacking football are important, they are by-products of his desire to build winning teams. At Celtic, his methods brought back-to-back league titles and a treble, and he pointed to that track record as proof his way delivers results.
Now, with Forest looking to continue to establish themselves in the Premier League, Postecoglou has made clear that he will bring his own ideas while also increasing the existing work ethic within the squad.
He said: (Nottingham Forest FC YouTube),“I’ve got to be careful what I say, because everyone’s kind of pigeon-holed me pretty much through my whole career.
“I love winning, I love winning things, it’s what I’ve done. I want the fans to be excited about watching their team play.
“There’s already an existing mentality within the group of working hard for one another, and I want to tap into that.
“And from my perspective it’s about now putting my own ideas across – it’s no secret that I like my teams to attack and I like my teams to score goals.
“ That’s sometimes misconstrued as me just playing my way, but the reason I like my teams to play that way is because I like winning things.”
Postecoglou’s comments remind fans and critics that style and results go hand in hand in his view. He sees attacking football not just as a philosophy, but as the best way to win matches.
For Forest, it is a clear signal of intent. Supporters should expect a team built to go forward rather than sit back as Postecoglou starts shaping the squad his way.
Ange Postecoglou
Soccer Football – Scottish Cup Final – Celtic v Inverness Caledonian Thistle – Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – June 3, 2023 Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou celebrates after winning the Scottish Cup Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
For Celtic supporters, the message is familiar. At Parkhead he answered early doubts with trophies, proving that his attacking approach was always about delivering victories.
At Forest the setting is new but the plan is the same. Postecoglou refuses to be limited by labels, aiming to achieve success through the same focus on effort, goals and silverware that defined his spell in Glasgow.
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