Nottingham Forest are already on their third manager of the season, with Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou already been sacked inside just eight Premier League games. But even with Sean Dyche at the helm, the Tricky Trees may encounter another nightmare from the Aussie boss.
Ange Postecoglou joined Nottingham Forest at the start of September, with Nuno Espirito Santo being sacked by Forest after three games after disagreements with controversial owner Evangelos Marinakis.
The Greek-Australian boss was sacked, having performed poorly with Tottenham Hotspur in the league last season by finishing 17th, but a Europa League win with the Lilywhites meant he had credit for a new Premier League club.
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However, with his sacking putting him on the free agent list and Brendan Rodgers being sacked by Celtic, he could return to his old stomping ground to deliver a Europa League nightmare.
Ange Postecoglou, Head Coach of Nottingham Forest applauds the fans following the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest at St James' Park,
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Ange Postecoglou would be the ideal man to replace Brendan Rodgers at Celtic
Ange Postecoglou was hired by Celtic in 2021 after Neil Lennon’s abysmal tenure at the club. Arriving as an unknown and with Rangers having won the league, many questioned the appointment.
However, he won two league titles in a row at Celtic Park, and recorded a famous treble before departing for Tottenham, where he stunningly won the Europa League.
Fans didn’t want him to leave, and although Rodgers had a good run at the club, Postecoglou’s rapport at Celtic Park makes him an easy candidate for the recent vacancy.
A record of 83 wins in 113 games in Scotland saw him adored by fans, and with Celtic in their worst rut since he took over, it does make complete sense for Postecoglou to head back to Scotland.
On the contrary, Nottingham Forest fans aren’t his biggest supporters, having only lasted eight games at the City Ground, and that tension could spike if he faces them in the Europa League.
Celtic v Motherwell - Cinch Scottish Premiership
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Ange Postecoglou could haunt Nottingham Forest fans by knocking them out of Europe
Of course, Forest qualified for the Europa League after finishing seventh in the Premier League last season.
They currently sit 17th in the table, with four points from three games and just a win away from heading into the seeded knockout phase section.
Celtic, by contrast, are 21st and in the unseeded section, meaning if both clubs stay where they are, they could face one another.
Sean Dyche has faced Postecoglou in three matches throughout his career, losing both away games and only drawing 2-2 in his only home game in charge against the Australian.
That doesn’t bode well if they come up against each other in Europe – and Forest fans could be sent home in anguish by their former boss who they grew to dislike.