Ange Postecoglou insists he doesn’t need to prove himself at Nottingham Forest, despite a tough stint at Tottenham. He aims to bring his attacking style to Forest, starting with a challenging game against Arsenal, and is determined to win trophies and bring success to the club.
Ange Postecoglou has emphatically stated that he feels no pressure to prove his worth at Nottingham Forest, despite a turbulent recent spell with Tottenham Hotspur. As he prepares to lead Forest into their opening match against Arsenal, Postecoglou aims to silence doubters and revitalize the team with his distinctive high-octane style of play.
Postecoglou's appointment at Nottingham Forest followed the departure of Nuno Espirito Santo, whose relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis reportedly deteriorated. Postecoglou, despite securing a Europa League title, was surprisingly sacked by Tottenham after a challenging 2024-25 season that saw them finish a lowly 17th in the Premier League – their worst showing in the top flight. This stark contrast in fortunes has led some to question whether Postecoglou is the right fit for Forest.
The managerial shift represents a significant stylistic change for Nottingham Forest. Nuno Espirito Santo favored a solid, counter-attacking approach, while Postecoglou is renowned for his attacking and aggressive tactics. The statistics highlight these differences: Tottenham, under Postecoglou, conceded 65 goals, ranking among the worst in the league defensively, with an expected goals against (xGA) of 64.4. In contrast, Nuno's Forest team managed 13 clean sheets and boasted an xGA of just 49.5.
"I don’t see it as a point to prove. I don’t have to prove anything to anyone," Postecoglou asserted. "You let your actions speak for themselves and you understand the responsibility you have. You have to provide joy to the supporters – that’s why football clubs exist. They are the lifeblood of this game. That’s all I care about. I’ll win things here and people will still have doubts about me. I just want to keep doing what I need to do because it brings hope to people and allows me to live my dreams."
A new chapter begins. pic.twitter.com/E4JwFF4JZi
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) September 11, 2025
Postecoglou's immediate challenge is a daunting one: Arsenal. Historically, Nottingham Forest have struggled against the Gunners, winning only two of their last 16 Premier League encounters, both at home. Arsenal's dominance is particularly evident at their home ground, where they are unbeaten in their last 14 games against Forest, with a remarkable aggregate score of 19-2 in their last six home matches.
Postecoglou’s personal record against Arsenal is also a concern. In his previous four Premier League games against them, he failed to secure a single victory, managing just one point out of a possible 12. Despite these challenges, Postecoglou remains optimistic.
"It is what it is. First four games are away so I got a good look at the stadium today," Postecoglou said, acknowledging the difficulty of the task ahead. "Every Premier League fixture is challenging. It’s a great game. Mikel has got them off to a good start. They’ve strengthened over the summer."
Reflecting on his past successes, Postecoglou highlighted his ability to deliver trophies in his second season at previous clubs, a feat he achieved in 2024-25. He intends to replicate that success at Nottingham Forest.
"I’ve said already I want to win trophies and that’s what I’ve done my whole career and that’s what I’ll do here," Postecoglou affirmed. "Every club wants to be successful but what I’ve seen over the last few years, those ambitions are backed up with actions.” Postecoglou's words exude confidence, suggesting he is determined to transform Nottingham Forest into a competitive force, regardless of external pressures or past setbacks.
The supporters of Nottingham Forest will be hoping that Postecoglou can live up to his words and deliver success to the club.