Nuno’s sacking was inevitable

Nottingham Forest have moved in rapid fashion to appoint Ange Postecoglou as their new manager after Nuno Espirito Santo was relieved of his duties hours previous

16:31, 09 Sep 2025

Football loving writer who spends much of his life on motorways getting to games all over the country. Passionate about football, my job and the Mirror. The Premier League is the best in the world and always believe England has a chance.

Author of Arsene Wenger: The Inside Story of Arsenal Under Wenger.

Ange Postecoglou lifts the UEFA Europa League trophy

Ange Postecoglou is the perfect fit for Forest after European glory with Spurs last season(Image: Justin Setterfield, Getty Images)

Ange Postecoglou was one of the great stories of last season. The Big Ange soap opera with his public rants, frustration and then glorious farewell as he led Tottenham to their first trophy in 17 years by winning the Europa League.[1][2]

That is the hook for Nottingham Forest and why fiery owner Evangelos Marinakis had Postecoglou lined up long before the axe inevitably came down on Nuno Espirito Santo.[3][4]

And it was inevitable. From the moment Nuno spoke out about Forest's transfer business and his relationship break down with Marinakis, he was doomed.[5]

But why Postecoglou? Well, there are several reasons.

The style of football, a big personality and, most of all, a track record of winning trophies.

Big Ange promised at Tottenham that he always wins a trophy in his second season - and, against all of the odds, he delivered in spectacular fashion.

And Postecoglou did it in style. It was rip-roaring, swashbuckling attacking football and Forest fans can expect to be entertained at the City Ground. Yes, the league form was terrible and got him the sack.

But never mind the results - just feel the silverware.

Furthermore, Postecoglou has a high profile and never underestimate how important that is to a modern, forward looking club.

Suddenly the interest in Forest goes up because, for all his success on the pitch, Nuno has never been box office (apart from when he is talking out against the owner, of course). He is good value, outspoken and is good for the Premier League. He is a big character.

Postecoglou also succeeded in the Europa League and won the competition which Forest now find themselves in for the coming season.

His clear track record in winning a European trophy really appeals to Marinakis and we probably should have seen the signs back in July.

Nuno Espirito Santo's sacking was inevitable after going public with his frustrations(Image: PA)

It was Marinakis, who also owns Olympiacos, who made a presentation and honoured Postecoglou on behalf of the Greek Super League for becoming the first Greek coach to win a major European trophy. Postecoglou was born in Greece, left the country at five years old but has always been proud of his heritage.

Marinakis said: "What I want to say about Ange is that he has spoken about Greece many times, he is proud to be Greek and in the great success he had with Tottenham by winning the Europa League, he spoke about Greece.

"A man who not only does not hide his origin but is also proud of it. What he achieved, he did with a team that has not won any titles, it has had a very difficult time in recent years.

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. Wherever he goes, the successes will come."

Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has long been an admirer of Postecoglou(Image: PA)

Clearly, the seeds were sown and grew as Nuno's frustrations grew over the summer. They started last season very publicly when Marinakis had a very public row with his manager over Taiwo Awoniyi's injury on the pitch.

Most people saw Forest's charge into European football as a great success and big achievement.

Marinakis was just as frustrated that the club blew a place in the Champions League because their form tailed away in the last two months of the season.

The Greek businessman wanted a manager who could get his team over the line. Then there was Edu, the Brazilian who used to be at Arsenal, was brought in a newly-established global head of football role.

Suddenly, it was Edu who had Marinakis' ear rather than Nuno. Marinakis is notoriously temperamental and has a short fuse.

His relationship with Nuno deteriorated very quickly especially as the manager was not getting the players he wanted.

Nuno sounded his frustration and demanded a new keeper and two new back-up full backs. All were delivered in the end but the damage had already been done.

They needed a big story, a big name, to fill the void - and that is why Big Ange is the perfect fit.

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References

^ The Big Ange (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ first trophy in 17 years by winning the Europa League. (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ hook for Nottingham Forest and why fiery owner Evangelos Marinaki (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ came down on Nuno Espirito Santo. (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ break down with Marinakis, he was doomed. (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ Why Nottingham Forest sacked Nuno: Transfer rows, players he didn't want and demand not met (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ Premier League manager safety rankings after Nuno becomes season's first sacking (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ Join our new WhatsApp community (chat.whatsapp.com)
^ Privacy Notice. (www.reachplc.com)