Ange Postecoglou Back in Familiar Territory as Nottingham Forest Prepare for a Long-Awaited European Homecoming
Twenty-nine years. Nearly three decades. That’s how long Nottingham Forest fans have waited to witness their team walk out at the City Ground for a European fixture. For a club whose name still echoes across the continent because of its back-to-back European Cup triumphs in 1979 and 1980, the long absence from the continental stage has been a painful silence.
But now, under the stewardship of Ange Postecoglou — a manager with a growing reputation for reviving tradition-rich clubs — Forest are finally back on the European map. And though the start of his reign has been far from smooth, Postecoglou believes that both he and the team are exactly where they need to be.
“That’s familiar territory for me,” he quipped when reflecting on his winless start. “At Celtic, I think we went five or six games without a win at the start. It’s part of the process.”
This is more than just an early-season slump or a European group stage fixture. This is about building something — perhaps something Forest haven’t truly had since the glory days of Brian Clough. And for Postecoglou, the road to belief always runs through adversity.
⚽ A Challenging Opening Chapter
Postecoglou’s first five matches in charge have tested his credentials. Forest remain winless in the Premier League, languishing near the bottom of the table with narrow losses and moments of promise undone by lapses in concentration. Their Carabao Cup journey ended prematurely, in heart-wrenching fashion, as Swansea City struck twice in stoppage time to seal a dramatic late victory.
It’s not the kind of record any manager would want to hang their hat on, but Postecoglou isn’t panicking. He’s been here before.
At Celtic, his first few weeks were equally difficult. Key players were leaving, new ones were arriving late, and fans were understandably restless. A Champions League qualifier against FC Midtjylland — the same side he’ll now face again with Forest — ended in defeat, piling pressure on the new boss. But Postecoglou didn’t waver then, and he won’t waver now.
“They were tough games, home and away,” he said, recalling those clashes with Midtjylland. “It was a great atmosphere at Celtic Park but it was a really tight game. At Midtjylland, it was tough — they had a strong team, very direct, good at set-pieces, a couple of Brazilian lads who caused us problems.”
Though Celtic went out of the competition, that tie laid the groundwork for what became a transformative season. Postecoglou’s system began to click. Players grew into their roles. Celtic went on to win the league and secure Champions League qualification the following year.
Could Forest now be on the same trajectory?
🌍 A European Return Years in the Making
The emotional weight of this fixture cannot be overstated. For the Forest faithful, the return of European nights to the City Ground is as much about honouring the past as it is about building the future.
The last time Forest played European football at home was in 1996, in the now-defunct UEFA Cup. Some of today’s fans weren’t even born. Others grew up hearing tales of John Robertson’s magic, Trevor Francis’s historic goal in Munich, and Clough’s fierce belief that Forest belonged among Europe’s elite.
Postecoglou, a self-proclaimed football romantic, understands the magnitude of the moment.
“These games are special,” he said. “It’s not just about points or progression — it’s about pride, about identity. The players feel it, the staff feel it. We’re not just representing ourselves, we’re representing a club with a huge legacy.”
In their opening Europa League match, Forest earned a well-deserved 1–1 draw away at Real Betis, a side known for its fluid attacking football and intimidating home support. That performance offered a glimpse of what Postecoglou’s Forest could be: compact, disciplined, bold in possession, and unafraid of the occasion.
“When you go to a place like Betis and perform as we did, it shows that the players are embracing what we’re trying to do,” Postecoglou explained. “We’re still early in the process, but there are really encouraging signs.”
🔍 Facing a Familiar Foe: FC Midtjylland
Now, Midtjylland return to Postecoglou’s story — and this time, on Forest’s turf. The Danish side are no strangers to Europe. Known for their use of data analytics and set-piece innovation, they’ve punched above their weight in recent years, claiming Danish Superliga titles and troubling bigger clubs across the continent.
“They’re very direct, very well-drilled, and always dangerous from set-pieces,” Postecoglou said. “That hasn’t changed much since I last faced them. They know how to stay in games and punish you if you lose focus.”
The tactical battle will be intriguing. Postecoglou’s possession-heavy, attacking style contrasts sharply with Midtjylland’s more pragmatic and clinical approach. Forest will need to be alert to long balls, physical battles, and clever routines from dead-ball situations. But they’ll also be encouraged to play on the front foot, dominate the ball, and use the energy of the home crowd to their advantage.
🔁 Patterns of Progress: Celtic, Spurs, and Now Forest
For Postecoglou, every managerial chapter has started with teething problems. At Celtic, he arrived amid squad chaos and early exits in Europe. At Spurs, he took over a fractured squad post-Kane, implemented his high-risk style — and after a flying start, hit a bump during a tough winter. But each time, his footballing philosophy has endured.
At Forest, he inherits a squad that’s still adjusting — not just to a new system, but to European football itself. The challenge now is fostering belief before results follow. His track record shows that once that belief is embedded, the wins tend to come in waves.
🏟️ The City Ground — A Stage Reborn
Wednesday night will be more than just a group stage game. When the floodlights hit the City Ground, and the roar of the crowd meets the whistle, it will mark a symbolic rebirth. A club that once conquered Europe is returning to its roots — and with a manager whose style honours the traditions of bold, expressive football.
For Postecoglou, it will be another test, another hurdle, and another opportunity. For the fans, it will be a long-awaited moment of pride. And for the players, it will be a chance to etch their names into Forest’s storied European history.
“Even though we didn’t get through at Celtic, we gained a lot of belief from our football in those games,” Postecoglou reflected. “It’s the same here. These are the games where belief is built. You need nights like these to grow.”
And grow they must — together.
📅 What Comes Next
Nottingham Forest will be desperate to claim three points and take control of their Europa League group. But for now, the focus is on performance, resilience, and progression.
The road may still be long, the learning curve steep, but the direction is clear. Ange Postecoglou knows the terrain. And if history has taught us anything, it’s that the Australian thrives when the odds are uncertain, and the stakes are high.
Wednesday night at the City Ground could be the beginning of another memorable chapter — not just for Postecoglou, but for a club and its people who have waited long enough to dream again.