Nottingham Forest’s decision to sack Nuno Espirito Santo and appoint Ange Postecoglou as their new head coach has sparked a reaction from former player Des Walker. Walker believes Evangelos Marinakis, the club’s owner, showed bravery in sacking Nuno, given the high expectations from Forest fans after their successful last season.
Background to the Decision
- Nuno Espirito Santo was dismissed after a 3-0 defeat to West Ham, despite stabilizing the team last season and securing European qualification.
- His relationship with Marinakis had deteriorated, with Nuno publicly criticizing the club’s transfer business and hinting at potential issues with his future at the club.
- Ange Postecoglou has been appointed as the new head coach, with a five-year contract worth €800 million, signaling the club’s ambition to compete at the highest level.
Des Walker’s Verdict
- Walker praises Marinakis for his bold decision, saying, “To sack him is brave. I say it is brave because Forest fans have got the smell of success in their mind and once you got that smell of success, then once it doesn’t happen, they can get very very critical.”
- This statement serves as a warning to Postecoglou, who faces high expectations from the fans to deliver success this season ¹.
Challenges Ahead for Postecoglou
- Forest’s elimination from the Carabao Cup after a 3-2 defeat to Swansea City, where they threw away a 2-0 lead, adds pressure on the new coach.
- Postecoglou has admitted that his team got complacent, which might be an area he needs to work on with his players.
- With only two games under his belt, Postecoglou will need to deliver results quickly to justify the club’s faith in him ².
