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With the Australian accent echoing the term ‘mate,’ fans can look forward to the return of Premier League press conferences. Ange Postecoglou’s upcoming return to English football brings excitement for neutrals. Expect fast, fluid football, occasional defensive blunders, and an all-or-nothing approach—hallmarks of his time at Tottenham. Now, at 60 years old, he is poised to take over as manager of Nottingham Forest, following the dismissal of Nuno Espírito Santo. Postecoglou is renowned for his emotional honesty, and his collaboration with the fiery Forest owner, Evangelos Marinakis, promises to be intriguing.
What can Postecoglou deliver on the pitch at the City Ground? He established a distinct identity at Spurs—dedicated to fast-paced, attacking football. Although this approach occasionally proved naive and costly, resulting in dropped points and ultimately, his exit, there was something commendable about his commitment to his philosophy. Fans are left wondering whether he’ll implement a similar style at Forest. To gain insight into Postecoglou’s potential impact, Transfermarkt reviews his past experiences at Tottenham.
Tottenham’s Lowest Ever Premier League Finish
In his debut season with Tottenham, Postecoglou guided the team to a fifth-place finish. However, after a promising start that had them atop the table for the first ten matches, a significant decline in performance led to their failure to secure Champions League football. This downturn continued the following season, culminating in Tottenham’s lowest-ever finish in the Premier League under his management during the 2024/25 season.
As shown in the graphic above, a comparison to the past 15 seasons illustrates the severity of last season’s campaign, with Spurs finishing 17th and accruing just 38 points—often a relegation zone scoreline. Ultimately, Postecoglou’s performance yielded a disappointing 1.00 points per game (PPG). It’s worth noting that injuries plagued Tottenham, frequently preventing him from fielding his strongest defensive lineup, yet his lack of tactical flexibility became apparent. In contrast, his European endeavors showcased his capabilities.
Securing Tottenham’s First Trophy in 17 Years
At the start of last season, Postecoglou made a now-famous statement: “I don’t usually win things; I always win things in my second year, nothing’s changed.” Initially met with skepticism, this proclamation came true just eight months later when Tottenham triumphed over Manchester United in Bilbao, clinching the Europa League—marking the club’s first trophy in 17 years and their first since the EFL Cup in 2008.
While the competition had seen a dip in quality due to UEFA’s restructuring, with Spurs defeating Bodo Glimt in the semis and a struggling Manchester United in the final, Postecoglou successfully broke the club’s trophy drought. Many Tottenham fans viewed winning a trophy as a greater priority than a disappointing league performance. Nevertheless, just two weeks later, he was dismissed from his role. Postecoglou’s return to the Premier League bodes well for the league, but the question remains: will his all-or-nothing approach yield success at Nottingham Forest? Time will tell.
