The majority of pundits have been cautiously optimistic about Ange Postecoglou at Nottingham Forest, but Roy Keane has instead given the new head coach an ominous warning.
While the Forest fans were unsure about Postecoglou’s appointment, pundits have been more positive about his chances, with Robert Earnshaw predicting a top-six finish for Forest under the new head coach.
The optimism continued as Michael Dawson praised Postecoglou for taking on the challenge of facing Arsenal on Saturday, rather than waiting to take over.
However, Forest legend Keane is clearly less excited, producing some choice words for Postecoglou in a surprising warning for the former Tottenham boss.
Roy Keane warns Ange Postecoglou about Evangelos Marinakis
With Evangelos Marinakis sacking Nuno Espírito Santo to bring in Postecoglou, the wider football world may look at the decision as a harsh one, given what Nuno had achieved on the pitch.
Clearly, though, his departure was more linked to matters away from results, but Keane still believes that Postecoglou will need to be wary while working under Marinakis.
Speaking on The Overlap, Keane said: “When I see these managers going to Forest going, ‘Oh, it’s great, it’s a great club.’ Listen, be careful what you wish for. Because this owner has got previous, what do you think is going to change?”
More specifically on Nuno, Keane added: “Do you know, I don’t feel sorry for managers anymore either. Don’t you cry yourself to sleep. […] He [Nuno] knew that when he went in there, you’ve got to do your homework.”
It’s not the first time that Keane has criticised his former club, though, with Marinakis’ way of operating clearly rubbing the Irishman the wrong way at times.
Roy Keane has criticised Evangelos Marinakis in the past
Of course, Keane being outspoken is no surprise, but he does seem to have a particular gripe with the working style of the Forest owner.
At the end of last season, Marinakis banned Gary Neville from the City Ground over his previous comments that compared the Greek businessman to the mafia.
In response to this, Keane described Neville’s ban as “small-minded” while covering Forest’s final game of the season against Chelsea in the Sky Sports studio.
Given Keane’s close relationship with Neville, it was no surprise to see him defend his former Manchester United teammate, but the way Marinakis operates clearly doesn’t sit right with him, leading to the words of warning for Postecoglou.
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