Ange Postecoglou has been appointed as head coach of Nottingham Forest, replacing Nuno Espirito Santo who was sacked late on Monday night just three games into the new season.
Postecoglou returns to the dugout three months after being dismissed by Tottenham, where he endured a difficult Premier League campaign that saw the club finish 17th. However, he ended his time at Spurs on a high by delivering a historic Europa League triumph, ending the club’s long trophy drought.
The 60-year-old Australian arrives at the City Ground with a strong reputation for winning silverware and building competitive teams. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis expressed his belief in Postecoglou’s ability to help the club realise its ambitions.
“We are bringing a coach to the club who has a proven and consistent record of winning trophies,” Marinakis said. “His experience of coaching teams at the highest level, along with his desire to build something special with us at Forest, makes him a fantastic person to help us on our journey and achieve consistently all our ambitions.”
Nuno departs after just 21 months in charge, having originally taken over in December 2023 following the sacking of Steve Cooper. He helped Forest retain their Premier League status that season before guiding them to a seventh-place finish last term, the club’s highest since 1994–95, securing European qualification for the first time in 30 years.
However, his future had been uncertain for several weeks amid reports of a strained relationship with Marinakis and global sporting director Edu. His final match was a 3–0 defeat to West Ham prior to the international break.
Forest currently sit 10th in the Premier League after three matches. Marinakis said the change in management was necessary for the club to continue progressing.
“After gaining promotion to the Premier League, then building consistently season after season to secure European football, we now must take the right step to compete with the very best and challenge for trophies,” he said. “Ange has the credentials and the track record to do this, and we are excited he is joining us on our ambitious journey.”
The decision has reportedly caught many of Forest’s players off guard, with several currently away on international duty. Word of Nuno’s dismissal circulated quickly among the squad.
Winger Callum Hudson-Odoi, who recently signed a new three-year deal with the club, paid tribute to his former manager on social media, writing: “I learned a lot from you and made some great memories along the way. I wish you nothing but the best for the future in your new chapter.”
Postecoglou becomes Forest’s eighth permanent manager since Evangelos Marinakis took ownership in May 2017. His first match in charge will be a tough away fixture at Arsenal on Saturday.
