Nottingham Forest are set to appoint Ange Postecoglou as their replacement for Nuno Espírito Santo, a deal that will be a source of great joy for Evangelos Marinakis in particular.
Forest are set to appoint Postecoglou as the club acted swiftly to replace the departing Espírito Santo, whose position became untenable after the recent public fallout.
Amid the apparent issues between the manager and Edu, Marinakis was said to be furious over Nuno’s public criticisms, meaning that a change in direction was inevitable.
In Postecoglou, then, Forest have a recent Europa League winner, but one who struggled in the Premier League with Tottenham last season. Still, Nottingham Forest News has learned that Marinakis is fully convinced that the 60-year-old will be a success.
Ange Postecoglou is Evangelos Marinakis’ dream manager
It’s fair to say that Forest fans aren’t convinced by Postecoglou, having watched his Spurs side finish 17th in the league last season. He’ll certainly bring attacking football, but it’s the defensive side of the game that will need to be worked on.
Regardless, though, Nottingham Forest News has spoken to Graeme Bailey about why Marinakis is so delighted to get to work with Postecoglou.
Bailey said: “I think it’s a dream appointment for Marinakis. He sees Postecoglou as an all-time footballing legend for what he’s done for Australian and Greek football. Marinakis didn’t think he’d leave Spurs, so the chance to get him, I think it’s just too good for him to turn down.”
Marinakis is obviously passionate about Greek football, with Postecoglou’s championing of his roots having been born in Athens, something that has clearly warmed the Forest owner to his new manager.
In fact, Marinakis’ admiration for Postecoglou was made public back in July, when the Greek businessman presented the manager with a special award.
Evangelos Marinakis has publicly praised Ange Postecoglou
Postecoglou is set to be in the building for Forest’s trip to Arsenal on Saturday, a particularly difficult opener that he’ll do well to earn a result from.
Marinakis won’t worry about the result, though, given how highly he spoke of Postecoglou in July when hosting the manager at the Greek Super League 25/26 draw.
Quoted by Neos Kosmos, Marinakis said: “What I want to say about Ange is that he has spoken about Greece many times, he is proud to be Greek and in the great success he had with Tottenham by winning the Europa League, he spoke about Greece.
“A man who not only does not hide his origin but is also proud of it. What he achieved, he did with a team that has not won any titles, it has had a very difficult time in recent years. In this huge success that the whole world saw, he promoted Greece.
“We must thank him especially for this and we wish him well, although we are sure that he will do well as he has the ability. Wherever he goes, the successes will come.”
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