The Ange Postecoglou era is set to begin at Nottingham Forest, with those who have followed his career expecting fireworks on and off the pitch.
Postecoglou signed an 18-month contract at Forest to replace the outgoing Nuno Espírito Santo, whose relationship with the hierarchy at the club had become untenable.
It’s fair to say that Forest fans weren’t sure about the Postecoglou appointment initially, but his initial interviews and press conferences have begun to win the City Ground faithful over.
With the opening fixture of Postecoglou’s tenure against Arsenal now upon us, Nottingham Forest News has spoken to Celtic expert and 67 Hail Hail reporter Callum Boyle to get the lowdown on the Australian.
Ange Postecoglou celebrates winning the Scottish Cup with Celtic.
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
What Nottingham Forest can expect from Ange Postecoglou
Ange Postecoglou’s main strengths
Callum said… “He’s a great motivator and the sort of manager you would want to run through brick walls, which will be music to the ears of some of the Forest players, especially when the going gets tough.”
Style of play
Callum said… “In terms of style, I think you can expect what you would’ve seen at Spurs. All-out attack, high throttle, defenders standing on the halfway line. It’s chaotic, but when it clicks, it’s electric.”
Differences from Nuno Espírito Santo
Callum said… “The shift in style will be one that takes Forest time to adapt to. Under Nuno, they were used to soaking up pressure and hitting on the counter.
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“That won’t happen under Ange, he will want to be on the front foot. Time is key, however, we know it doesn’t take much for Marinakis to become impatient.”
What he did well at Celtic
Callum said… “From the outside, people will always ask: ‘How can Celtic be in a crisis?’ But when Ange joined, that’s what it was really like.
“They’d just been beaten to the title by a Rangers side that went unbeaten and were in desperate need of a rebuild. He brought in his own players, reignited the fanbase and played arguably some of the best football at Celtic Park in recent memory.”
His relationship with the Celtic supporters
Callum said… “Although it ended on a sour note with him going to Tottenham, the harmony between Postecoglou and the supporters was special.
🍀 "I love them mate…I couldn't be happier for everyone there"
Ange Postecoglou tells Sky Sports he watched Celtic clinch the Scottish Premiership title 🔽 pic.twitter.com/XqLr46reD0
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) May 17, 2024
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“Whether it be his witty one-liners or standing in front of a packed away end, thumping his hand on his heart, that connection was something that is rare in football.
“He lived and breathed Celtic, and I think that’s why there were so many fans upset by the news when he left.”
Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou.
Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images
What to be wary of
Callum said… “It’s football’s worst-kept secret that Marinakis can be a bit of a hot-headed guy and in turn, Postecoglou isn’t afraid to speak his mind. He wasn’t subtle in the way that he questioned the Celtic board’s lack of ambition, as well as the problems at Spurs.
“That’s the exact same reason why Nuno was sacked. Even though Postecoglou and Marinakis are close, don’t let that let you think that Ange wouldn’t call him out if he needed to. Marinakis’ ambition can’t be faulted, but one outspoken word and it could be curtains.”