Ange Postecoglou dined with Evangelos Marinakis earlier this summer season in a prelude to the deal that can see the previous Tottenham boss be confirmed as Nottingham Forest’s new head coach.
Marinakis has turned to the Europa League successful supervisor following his determination to sacking Nuno Espirito Santo.
Following the sacking of Nuno within the early hours of Tuesday, Marinakis needs his successor in place earlier than Saturday’s journey to Arsenal.
But Mail Sport can reveal the pair met in July, when Postecoglou – who’s of Greek heritage – was offered with an award by the Greek Tremendous League, to recognise his achievements with Spurs.
‘What I wish to say about Ange is that he has spoken about Greece many instances, he’s proud to be Greek, and within the nice success he had with Tottenham by successful the Europa League, he spoke about Greece,’ stated Marinakis on the ceremony.
‘[He is] a person who not solely doesn’t disguise his origin however can be pleased with it. What he achieved, he did with a staff that has not gained any titles, it has had a really tough time lately. On this enormous success that the entire world noticed, he promoted Greece.
Ange Postecoglou is ready to be confirmed as the brand new supervisor of Nottingham Forest
Postecoglou was offered with an Greek Tremendous League award by Marinakis in July, with the pair seen having dinner with the Nottingham Forest proprietor on the occasion
‘We should thank him particularly for this, and we want him nicely, though we’re positive that he’ll do nicely as he has the flexibility. Wherever he goes, the successes will come.’
Regardless of main them to a primary trophy since 2008, Postecoglou was dismissed by Spurs after final season, with the membership’s seventeenth place end within the Premier League deemed unacceptable. The 60-year-old’s desire had all the time been to stay in England after his departure from north London.
On receiving his award, Postecoglou stated: ‘I left Greece once I was 5 years previous, however after we left, my dad and mom, my father, handed on the love he had for soccer to me.
‘I had this dream since I used to be little, as a participant I didn’t succeed, however as a coach I attempted to make my father proud for the sacrifices he made for me and my sister and each day I take into consideration the sacrifices he made.
‘My father is just not with me as we speak, however he sees me and is pleased with what I’ve constructed, I’ve my spouse by my aspect, and we proceed. I wish to make you proud, Greece and Australia. It’s a nice honour to be right here.’
Postecoglou will succeed Nuno, who was sacked regardless of main Forest into Europe for the primary time this century.
Nuno’s relationship with the membership hierachy, nevertheless, had grow to be more and more strained this summer season.
Nuno criticised Forest’s switch coverage publicly and admitted his rapport with proprietor Evangelos Marinakis was not the identical because it had been final time period. Nuno, who joined Forest in December 2023, additionally struggled to work underneath the brand new construction with former Arsenal midfielder Edu put in as international head of soccer. Marinakis solely days in the past dismissed studies of a rift between him and his supervisor.
In a press release launched at 12:15am on Tuesday morning, Forest stated: ‘Nottingham Forest Soccer Membership confirms that, following latest circumstances, Nuno Espírito Santo has as we speak been relieved of his duties as head coach.
Postecoglou is ready to succeed Nuno Espirito Santo, who was sacked on Tuesday morning
Nuno had admitted his relationship with proprietor Evangelos Marinakis had deteriorated
‘The membership thanks Nuno for his contribution throughout a really profitable period at The Metropolis Floor, specifically his function within the 2024/25 season, which can endlessly be remembered fondly within the historical past of the membership.
‘As somebody who performed a pivotal function in our success final season, he’ll all the time maintain a particular place in our journey.’
