The straight-talking Australian has replaced Nuno Espirito Santo in the City Ground dugout, but he must change his ways to survive
After a brief stay of execution, the axe has come down on Nuno Espirito Santo at Nottingham Forest just three games into the new season. The Portuguese has paid the ultimate price for a behind-the-scenes feud with recently-appointed global head of football, Edu, speaking candidly about his frustrations in the transfer window and the deterioration of his relationship with notoriously ruthless club owner, Angelos Marinakis.
Bizarrely, the decision to sack Nuno was confirmed shortly after midnight on Tuesday. Thirteen hours later, his replacement was already in situ; after brief links with a clutch of Premier League managers and the out-of-work Jose Mourinho, former Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou is Forest’s new head coach.
It is a divisive appointment that is certain to ruffle some feathers after the Australian led Spurs to both a Europa League crown and a dismal 17th-place Premier League finish in a bewildering 2024-25 campaign that was plagued by injuries. The 60-year-old is seemingly charged with delivering more silverware at the City Ground, but he must learn from past mistakes to be a long-term success.