Ange Postecoglou has agreed to replace Nuno Espírito Santo as Nottingham Forest head coach, after the Portuguese was sacked in the early hours of Tuesday. Postecoglou, 60, was dismissed by Tottenham at the end of last season despite winning the Europa League, as Spurs finished 17th in the Premier League.
The Australian held talks with Forest in recent days and was seen arriving at the training ground on Tuesday. He will take charge of his first match at Arsenal on Saturday. Postecoglou, who has Greek heritage, already has a personal relationship with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.
Nuno’s departure had seemed inevitable since he publicly acknowledged a deterioration in his relationship with Marinakis over the summer. He was frustrated by the time taken to complete transfers and fell out with the club’s new head of global football, Edu. Marinakis was unhappy with Nuno’s public comments and considered sacking him earlier, but waited until the international break. Sporting director Ross Wilson delivered the news to Nuno.
A club statement confirmed: “Nottingham Forest Football Club confirms that, following recent circumstances, Nuno Espírito Santo has today been relieved of his duties as head coach. The club thanks Nuno for his contribution during a very successful era at the City Ground, in particular his role in the 2024-25 season, which will forever be remembered fondly in the history of the club.”
Marinakis has previously praised Postecoglou, who began his European managerial career with Greek third-division side Panachaiki. Born in Athens, Postecoglou moved to Australia as a young boy. Marinakis said of him: “What he achieved, he did with a team that has not won any titles… In this huge success that the whole world saw, he promoted Greece. We must thank him especially for this and we wish him well, although we are sure that he will do well as he has the ability.”
Nuno leaves Forest as their most successful coach since Frank Clark, having guided the club to the Europa League.
