In a rare and candid admission, veteran Australian coach Ange Postecoglou acknowledged that his decision to take over as manager of Nottingham Forest in the English Premier League was a “bad” one, taking full responsibility for the short and disappointing 39-day spell.
Speaking on the Overlab program, Postecoglou, 60, revealed that his excessive enthusiasm and desire to quickly return to coaching after leaving Tottenham Hotspur were the main reasons behind his acceptance of an offer that wasn't right for him. He said: "There's no point in blaming it on a lack of time or anything else; I shouldn't have gone there in the first place. It's my fault; it was a bad decision, and I have to take responsibility for it.".
Context of the failed experiment
Postecoglou's tenure at Nottingham Forest began in September, when he was appointed to replace the Portuguese Nuno Espirito Santo, at a time when the club was struggling to avoid relegation. However, the working environment at the club, under the ownership of the Greek Evangelos Marinakis, known for his impatience and frequent managerial changes, was not ideal for a coach who relies on a long-term philosophy that requires time to instill in a team. The experiment ended with his dismissal after just eight matches, six of which were lost, adding a rare low point to his otherwise illustrious managerial career.
A career full of successes
Postecoglou is known for his remarkable career that took him from Australia to the world stage. He achieved notable success with the Australian national team, leading them to victory in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup. He also made a significant impact in Japan with Yokohama F. Marinos before moving to Europe and achieving great success with Scottish club Celtic, where he won the domestic treble. His move to Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League was the crowning achievement of his career, where he earned widespread praise for his attractive attacking style known as "Angeball.".
Impact and future outlook
The Nottingham Forest experience served as a valuable lesson in Postecoglou's career, highlighting the challenges faced by long-term managers in an environment demanding immediate results. Despite this experience, the Australian remains a sought-after name in the coaching world. Postecoglou has ruled out a return to his former club, Celtic, affirming his deep affection for the club but emphasizing that his approach is always to move forward. He explained: “I don’t look back; that’s not my way. My next step will be a new challenge somewhere I can make an impact and win trophies.”.
