Report: Forest target silverware after new manager appointment | OneFootball

Postecoglou Returns to Management with Forest Ambition

Ange Postecoglou’s arrival at Nottingham Forest has brought a sense of renewed expectation at the City Ground. Just three months after his departure from Tottenham, the Australian has stepped back into the Premier League spotlight with a clear vision. His task is not only to build on last season’s progress but also to meet the growing ambitions of owner Evangelos Marinakis.

Forest’s seventh-place finish last season set a new benchmark, but the club has invested heavily once again, with more than £180 million spent during the summer transfer window. Marinakis has been clear in his message. Forest are not looking backwards. They want a manager who can match their ambition, and Postecoglou believes he is the right man.

“I don’t see it as a point to prove. I don’t have to prove anything to anyone,” he said at his unveiling. “I do like my teams to play exciting football and score goals and get fans excited. I make no apologies about that, that’s just the way I am.”

A Trophy-Driven Career

Postecoglou’s reputation is built on more than philosophy. His track record in Australia, Japan, Scotland and Europe shows a consistent ability to win. At Tottenham, he ended the club’s 17-year trophy drought by delivering the Europa League title in May. He has spoken often about his “second-season” success rate, but at Forest he was quick to remind people that it is not his only route to silverware.

“I won the double with Celtic in my first year. I may have to [win a trophy this season] to have a second year here,” he joked. “I’ve said already I want to win trophies and that’s what I’ve done my whole career and that’s what I want to do here.”

The Europa League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup will all be legitimate targets for Forest. The club has not lifted a major trophy since 1990, but Postecoglou has made it clear that he intends to change that.

Photo: IMAGO

Marinakis Sets High Expectations

When announcing the appointment, Marinakis emphasised the importance of trophies. His vision is not limited to stability or consolidation, but to progress and success. That expectation is now firmly on Postecoglou’s shoulders.

Towards the end of his Tottenham tenure, pressure weighed heavily, even after guiding Spurs to the Europa League final. But in Nottingham, he appeared relaxed, joking with reporters and explaining how birthday celebrations and school runs were briefly interrupted by contract talks.

Still, he did not hide from the reality of the challenge. “I may have to [win a trophy this season] to have a second year here,” he remarked, aware of the demand that comes with the investment and the size of the project Marinakis has entrusted him with.

For Forest’s owner, this is not a step of caution but a bold push towards competing on multiple fronts. The investment, the managerial appointment, and the ambition are all pointing in the same direction.

Postecoglou and Forest’s Next Step

Forest supporters have witnessed a remarkable transformation since promotion in 2022. From a battle for survival to European qualification, the club has grown under Marinakis’ ownership. With Postecoglou in charge, there is a fresh promise of attacking football and renewed hope of silverware.

“I love creating things that are lasting. Every club I’ve been to, I’d like to think I’d be welcome back because I left a mark,” Postecoglou reflected. His words resonated with supporters who want a manager that builds legacy as much as success.

He also noted the reception he continues to receive from Tottenham fans despite a turbulent season in the league. “There is no Spurs supporter I come across now who doesn’t want to hug me and take me home for dinner,” he said. It was a reminder of how he connects with fanbases, even during difficult moments.

Forest’s first assignment under their new boss comes against Arsenal at the Emirates. It will provide an early indication of how quickly Postecoglou can implement his ideas and how the players respond to the change. What is certain is that Marinakis has appointed a manager who thrives on challenges and one who has never shied away from the demand for trophies.

Forest have not hired Ange Postecoglou to simply survive. They have hired him to compete, to win, and to push the club towards heights not seen in decades. With Marinakis backing him, the ambition is clear, and with Postecoglou’s determination, the expectation of success has never been stronger.