Ange Postecoglou tells Nottingham Forest players every member will have chance to impress ahead of Arsenal debut
The new manager held his first training session and meeting, signalled tactical tweaks rather than a wholesale overhaul and faces injury and selection issues ahead of Saturday’s trip to the Emirates.
Ange Postecoglou used his first meeting with Nottingham Forest’s squad to tell every player they would have a chance to impress as he prepares to lead the club for the first time at Arsenal on Saturday.
Postecoglou took charge of his first training session on Wednesday after being appointed this week and delivered a clear message that selection would be open, even though several members of the squad remain away on international duty. That inclusivity extends to recent summer signings who had limited involvement under the previous manager, including Omari Hutchinson and Douglas Luiz.
Club sources said Postecoglou is unlikely to demand an immediate, wholesale change to Forest’s style of play. While Nottingham Forest had been moving toward greater possession under Nuno Espírito Santo, the tactics favoured by Postecoglou at Tottenham Hotspur were generally more expansive and risk-taking. Initial training drills were reported to have a higher intensity and included significant ball work, suggesting tweaks rather than a complete reset.
Postecoglou has brought several members of his Tottenham backroom staff with him, including Mile Jedinak, Nick Montgomery, Sergio Raimundo and goalkeeping coach Rob Burch. The hires aim to provide continuity for the manager as he implements his methods at the City Ground.
A potential immediate selection headache is the fitness of right-back Ola Aina. Aina limped out of Nigeria’s friendly against South Africa after about 10 minutes and faces a race against time to be passed fit for the Emirates trip. The club has not issued a medical update beyond confirming he suffered an injury during international duty.
Forest face Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday, a fixture that will be Postecoglou’s first competitive match in charge. The timing comes with squad disruption from international call-ups, meaning the manager will have to balance assessing players who are available now with longer-term planning once the full squad returns.
The manager’s opening message — that selection is merit-based and that everyone will be given an opportunity — signals an immediate attempt to reset morale and competition within the playing group. How much of Postecoglou’s preferred tactical identity can be introduced so soon will depend on player availability, match fitness and the fitness of key defensive options ahead of the Arsenal game.
Nottingham Forest completed the managerial change this week, and the club’s preparations now turn to the short-term challenge of a Premier League trip to the Emirates and the practical task of integrating new coaching staff while managing injury and international absences.