Ange Postecoglou says he knew Spurs sacking before Europa League triumph
New Nottingham Forest head coach says he was aware his dismissal was imminent even as he celebrated Tottenham’s first trophy in 17 years
Ange Postecoglou said he knew he would be dismissed by Tottenham Hotspur a long time before he lifted the Europa League, as he was presented on Thursday as the new head coach of Nottingham Forest.
The Australian, speaking for the first time since his exit from Spurs, said his sacking was “not a surprise” and that he realised it “was coming a fair way before the final” despite the club’s celebratory parade and the Europa League triumph. He was dismissed 16 days after the final.
Postecoglou paid tribute to those who appointed him and declined to dwell on the circumstances of his departure. “Other people make those decisions and it’s up to them to talk about their reasoning,” he said. “We put the fans through tough times but there is no Spurs fan I come across who doesn’t want to hug me and take me home for dinner. That’s what we do it for.”
He also reflected on the role of chairman Daniel Levy, who left Tottenham earlier this month after nearly 25 years in charge, saying he had not had extensive interaction with Levy but was grateful for the appointment. “He appointed me and I’m thankful for that. Hopefully I repaid him with a trophy, something they hadn’t had for a very long time,” Postecoglou said.
Postecoglou replaces Nuno Espírito Santo at Forest after the Portuguese coach was dismissed following a reported fall-out with the club hierarchy. Forest’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, has backed the club’s ambitions with investment, and Postecoglou said those conditions appealed to him. He added that he may face immediate pressure to deliver silverware, acknowledging with a smile: “Of course I can win a trophy in my first year. I may have to, to have a second year.”
Forest return to Premier League action on Saturday at Arsenal, where Postecoglou will make his Nottingham Forest debut. The club are also competing in the Europa League this season, which adds to the workload and expectations at the City Ground.
Postecoglou’s tenure at Tottenham began with widespread praise for an attacking, high-energy style that helped Spurs finish fifth in his first season. A subsequent injury crisis saw league form decline and culminated in a 17th-place finish the following season, though Spurs secured the Europa League in Europe. Postecoglou signalled no intention of abandoning his footballing principles at Forest. “I like my teams to play exciting football, score goals and excite the fans. I make no apologies for the way I am,” he said. “I want to see them play well, dominate the ball, put pressure on the opposition and score goals – all with the goal of winning.”
He drew on experience from earlier departures in his career, at Celtic and Yokohama, saying partings are “part of the business” and that such moves have opened new opportunities. Postecoglou said he understood he would have to earn the trust of Forest supporters and described the club as “on the way up.”
Club officials at Forest declined immediate comment beyond confirming the appointment. The coming weeks will test whether Postecoglou can translate his attacking philosophy into results at a club balancing domestic and European commitments while under the scrutiny that accompanies his arrival.