⚽ From Nuno to Ange: A Defining Era Begins at Nottingham Forest
At the end of last season, the thought of Nuno Espírito Santo not being in charge of Nottingham Forest heading into the 2025/26 campaign would have seemed almost absurd. The Portuguese coach had taken over a fractured, underperforming side and turned them into one of the surprise packages of the Premier League, guiding the club into European competition for the first time in over two decades.
On paper, it was a success story.
But football is rarely about what’s on paper — and at Nottingham Forest, the dynamics off the pitch have once again proven more influential than those on it. In the weeks leading up to the new campaign, Nuno’s increasingly public frustrations with the club’s internal workings — particularly its transfer strategy and his relationship with the ownership — signaled a breakdown that was impossible to ignore. And now, the unthinkable has become reality.
Nuno is out. Ange Postecoglou is in. Evangelos Marinakis, the club’s volatile and ambitious owner, has rolled the dice again — this time on a manager known for his uncompromising philosophy, transformative leadership, and fearless football.
According to pundits like Jamie Redknapp, the writing was on the wall long before the official announcement. And if there’s one thing that’s become abundantly clear, it’s this:
Nottingham Forest isn’t just aiming to stay in the Premier League anymore. They’re aiming to make a statement — or die trying.
🧩 The Rise and Fall of Nuno Espírito Santo at Forest
When Nuno Espírito Santo arrived at the City Ground midway through the 2023/24 season, the club was teetering. Steve Cooper’s tenure had run its course, the team was unbalanced, and morale was low. Nuno brought immediate structure and clarity — not always glamorous, but effective. Forest began grinding out results. They tightened up defensively. They became difficult to beat.
By the end of the 2024/25 season, Forest had done what few expected: they finished in a European qualification spot, an achievement that should have solidified Nuno’s legacy.
But Beneath the Surface…
Despite this progress, storm clouds were gathering. Nuno reportedly felt undermined in the transfer market. His preferred targets weren’t being pursued. Squad building, instead of being collaborative, was disjointed. Nuno wanted to move towards a more balanced, long-term squad profile. The ownership — particularly Marinakis — appeared more interested in flashier signings and high-risk gambles, sometimes pushing players onto the squad without the manager’s full buy-in.
Tensions escalated over the summer.
Then came the Awoniyi incident — a moment that will go down in modern Forest lore not for what happened on the pitch, but for what followed it. When Taiwo Awoniyi suffered a horrific injury after colliding with the post, Marinakis stormed the pitch in a furious outburst — ostensibly at the medical staff for not taking the player off immediately.
But as Jamie Redknapp pointed out, Nuno was the one who felt the repercussions.
Redknapp, speaking on TalkSPORT, didn’t mince words:
“I felt, I’m not trying to be wise after the event, but Nuno was on borrowed time after last year. When Marinakis came onto the pitch and started berating him and complaining, I thought, that’s not going to end well.”
The moment highlighted something that had been bubbling under the surface: Marinakis wanted more control, more influence, and more immediate satisfaction. And when that doesn’t align with a manager’s ethos — especially one like Nuno, who values discipline and authority — it’s only a matter of time before the relationship breaks down.
Despite the season’s achievements, the damage was done.
🔄 The Arrival of Ange Postecoglou: A Gamble With a Purpose
If sacking Nuno was surprising, the appointment of Ange Postecoglou was even more so — not because of his reputation, but because of what it signals.
Ange is not a caretaker manager. He’s not someone you bring in to “steady the ship.” He’s a philosopher. A man with a clear, unwavering footballing identity. From the A-League to the J-League, from the Australian national team to Celtic and Tottenham, Postecoglou has earned a reputation as a builder, a visionary — and a disruptor.
This is a manager who:
Deploys aggressive high presses
Uses inverted full-backs to dominate midfield space
Encourages risky, vertical passing
Demands bravery on the ball
Expects absolute buy-in from players and staff alike
Jamie Redknapp: “Box Office”
Redknapp, who’s been an admirer of Postecoglou since his Celtic days, said it best:
“That’s going to be interesting. I care a lot. I think it’s an interesting move. And I think every now and again, there are some things that are just going to be box office for us.”
He’s not wrong. Forest under Ange could become one of the most thrilling projects in the Premier League. But it’s also one of the most fragile.
Postecoglou demands full autonomy. He thrives when the club gives him control over recruitment, playing style, and long-term planning. If Marinakis truly wants Postecoglou to succeed, he’ll need to do something he’s rarely done: step back.
🧠 Tactical Shift: From Defensive Solidity to Front-Foot Chaos
Under Nuno:
Compact defensive structure
Counter-attacking focus
Risk-averse
Built to grind out results
Under Ange:
2-3-5 attacking shape in possession
High line and pressing traps
Emphasis on positional rotations
“If you lose the ball, win it back instantly”
Fluid, aggressive full-backs who act as auxiliary midfielders
This will be a massive adjustment for the squad. Players who thrived under Nuno’s pragmatism may struggle to adapt to Ange’s high-intensity demands. Conversely, some forgotten or under-utilized players may flourish in this new, expressive system.
Forest’s early performances under Ange will likely be chaotic — thrilling at times, disastrous at others. But if it clicks, the club could be on the cusp of something special.
💰 The Marinakis Factor: Visionary or Liability?
Evangelos Marinakis is, without question, a passionate owner. He’s invested heavily in the squad and in infrastructure. But he’s also developed a reputation for being volatile and reactionary.
The Risks:
Ange’s success hinges on long-term trust and patience — two things Marinakis has rarely shown.
If results don’t come fast, or if Postecoglou resists interference, another early exit could follow.
The transfer strategy must align with Ange’s vision — not the owner’s whims.
This appointment only works if Marinakis allows football people to make football decisions. If he can resist the urge to micro-manage, Forest may have just pulled off a coup.
🔮 What Comes Next?
Best Case:
Ange implements his philosophy quickly.
Forest becomes one of the Premier League’s most exciting teams.
Younger players flourish.
European qualification is not just retained — it’s built upon.
Marinakis stays the course.
Worst Case:
The squad struggles to adapt.
Marinakis loses patience.
Ange walks or is dismissed before the project takes root.
The club falls into another cycle of instability.
📝 Final Word: A Moment That Will Define a Generation
This managerial change is more than just a new face in the dugout — it’s a defining moment in the modern history of Nottingham Forest.
Nuno’s exit, though unfortunate, reflects the realities of modern football. Success on the pitch means little if the internal relationships are broken. And Ange’s arrival reflects a club that wants more than just survival.
They want style. They want impact. They want relevance.
Whether that ambition will be rewarded with success or punished with instability remains to be seen — but one thing is certain:
Nottingham Forest, under Ange Postecoglou, are now must-watch football.