The Athletic FC Podcast

Episode: Why are Forest swapping Nuno for Ange?
Date: September 9, 2025
Host: Adam Leventhal
Guests: Tim Spears, Matt Davies-Adams, David Ornstein

Overview

This episode explores the sudden sacking of Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo and the imminent appointment of Ange Postecoglou, former Spurs boss. The hosts and guests discuss why this change is happening, the internal conflicts leading up to it, the impact on Forest’s future, and what Ange’s arrival could mean for squad management and playing style. Both journalistic and fan perspectives are explored, along with broader implications for the club’s direction.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo

• Shock but Not Surprise: Both Tim Spears and Matt Davies-Adams agree that while Forest’s decision is startling, signs pointed towards an impending sacking.

  • Tim highlights the visible cracks between Nuno, sporting director Edu, and owner Evangelos Marinakis, especially after public disputes and transfer market issues.
  • “The writing was on the wall for Nuno I think a few weeks ago... it must be a bit of a punch in the stomach for Forest fans...” (Tim Spears, 02:32)
  • Matt, as a fan, saw the move coming and prefers it was done quickly rather than drawn out.
  • “It wasn't feasible to carry on with Nuno... I'm actually pretty pleased that it's been done this swiftly.” (Matt, 03:56)

• Unresolved Club Power Structure: Adam raises whether a power struggle between Nuno and club leadership inevitably meant one had to leave.

  • Tim explains that Nuno’s public comments were a power move, understanding he’d lose out if push came to shove.
  • “He knew that if Nuno and Edu's relationship was completely untenable, which it seems it was, then it would be Nuno who would lose his job.” (Tim, 05:33)

2. The Transfer Window and Its Fallout

• Squad Building Tensions: Both Matt and Tim dive deep into the discord between Nuno’s desires and the club’s signings – Nuno preferred a leaner, sharper squad, while Edu and Marinakis packed the squad with many new faces, some from agency connections.

  • “There's a real mix... There's a lot going on at Forest. You know, there are three right wingers... five or six senior fullbacks...” (Tim, 10:27)
  • “Yeah, the transfer business was confusing and confused...” (Matt, 07:59)

• Too Many Players, Too Much Discontent: Tim points out that having 29 senior players frustrated Nuno, who succeeded with smaller squads at Wolves. This likely created divisions in the dressing room.

  • “He likes having that smaller squad because he believes it improves performance in training... he ends up with 29. So that would have caused big problems behind the scenes.” (Tim, 10:27)

3. The Ange Postecoglou Appointment

• Why Ange? Football correspondent David Ornstein provides the club side: Ange is Marinakis’s choice, with Greek heritage and recent European success at Spurs.

  • “Why Postecoglou? Marinakis knows him... He ended their wait for a European trophy... Nottingham Forest will clearly hope he repeats the trick.” (David Ornstein, 15:58)

• Tactical Fit and Adaptability:

  • Matt expresses mixed feelings, concerned about Ange’s high-risk style and last season’s Spurs struggles but hopeful based on the reshaped squad and Postecoglou’s willingness to adapt.
    • “The style of football between Nuno and Ange could hardly be more different... But he won the Europa League, and Marinakis is desperate for Forest to do that this season.” (Matt, 17:57)
  • Tim discusses Ange’s principled approach, sometimes to a fault, and wonders how much he has learned and will adapt at Forest.
    • “For 18 months at Spurs he talked about principles... he only got away with it because he won the Europa League... Is he this sort of principled manager who won’t bend for anyone?” (Tim, 20:40)
  • Notable anecdote:
    • “I remember one game at Spurs... he refused to substitute his players because he wanted them to endure and suffer and learn lessons rather than give them the easy way out of being subbed... That’s crazy.” (Tim, 20:40)

• Club Size, Atmosphere, and Backing:

  • Matt defends Forest, noting the club environment has changed and that fans will back a new manager who shows effort.
    • “There was a movement... saying, look, we’ve been out of the Premier League for nearly a quarter of a century. Maybe it’s the way that we back the team... All you’ll hear is backing for the team and backing for the manager.” (Matt, 22:43)

4. Marinakis–Postecoglou Dynamic

• Greek Connection: Adam reads out a prior Marinakis quote, praising Postecoglou for his public Greek pride and achievements.
  • “A man who not only does not hide his origin, but is also proud of it. What he achieved, he did with a team that has not won any titles... He promoted Greece.” (Adam quoting Marinakis, 24:19)
• Potential for Friction: Tim predicts Marinakis has long wanted Postecoglou and admires his loyalty, seeing less risk of public spats than with Nuno, but recognizing the “explosive” mix that club leadership often brings.
  • “He will... protect the club... fiercely. And I don’t think you’ll see what we saw with Nuno... He strives to tap into what makes a club different or unique.” (Tim, 25:15)

5. Squad Management and Style of Play

• Immediate Challenges & Opportunities:

  • Both Matt and Tim agree the squad’s depth (and resulting bench discontent) will be a test. Forest has a busy schedule with little time for the new manager to imprint his style before important matches.
  • “It might take a while for it to stick. But as I say, get Arsenal out the way... there’s a good opportunity there for him to have a look at various different players.” (Matt, 27:58)

• Style Transition Concerns:

  • “Whether the sea change in playing style is going to be too much too soon without a pre-season to get everybody on board... it might prove to be quite jarring for the players and it might take a while for it to stick.” (Matt, 27:58)

6. The Injury Question

• Historical Issues: Adam points out the spate of injuries under Ange at Spurs, linked to his high-intensity style. Tim is curious whether Ange has learned from this, noting the need for adaptability to avoid repeating mistakes.
  • “Those injuries constantly held him back at Spurs... These weren’t broken ankles, these were pulled hamstrings and calf strains... they had a horrible tendency to bring players back too quickly... and lo and behold, the hamstrings would go again.” (Tim, 31:05)
  • “Is he going to change his style and his principles, which he talked about for 18 months? Are we going to get Postecoglou 2.0 in England?” (Tim, 31:05)

7. Final Reflections and Fan Perspective

• Matt concludes with a plea for perspective, reminding fans how far Forest has come since their pre-Premier League years.
  • “There needs to be a massive dollop of perspective on this. Forest have been in far worse positions... they're in the best position they've been maybe in my lifetime. Whoever comes in has got some great players to work with... Let's roll with it. If it doesn't work, there'll be another one along pretty quickly anyway.” (Matt, 33:43)

Notable Quotes

• On the Sacking:
  • “It’s a real shame... for that to now be... a fork in the road to go back to what they were used to in terms of the sort of chaos and madness that they have been used to under Marinakis for so long.” – Tim Spears (02:32)
• On Nuno’s Situation:
  • “He thinks so studiously about what he's going to say... So it was clear then that something was very wrong. And he will have seen this sacking coming, by the way. This won't be a surprise to him either.” – Tim Spears (05:33)
• On Postecoglou’s Style:
  • “For 18 months at Spurs he talked about principles and how he would never ever change those principles for anybody. And he only got away with it because he won the Europa League...” – Tim Spears (20:40)
• On Fan Attitude:
  • “All you’ll hear is backing for the team and backing for the manager.” – Matt Davies-Adams (22:43)
• On Forest’s Perspective:
  • “Forest were outside of the Premier League for 23 years and we're now talking about... another one in who's just won the Europa League ahead of our first European campaign in 30 years. So there needs to be a massive dollop of perspective on this.” – Matt Davies-Adams (33:43)

Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |:---|:---| | 01:42 | Intro: Sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou expected to replace | | 02:32–05:15 | Discussion: Why Nuno was sacked, reactions from Tim and Matt | | 05:15–07:59 | Power struggle between Nuno and club management, transfer window fallout | | 10:27–12:50 | Squad building, Nuno's philosophy vs. Forest's squad size strategy | | 15:45–17:48 | David Ornstein: Why Postecoglou? Owner’s viewpoint, Ange’s credentials | | 17:57–22:39 | Matt and Tim: Lessons from Postecoglou’s Spurs stint, fit for Forest | | 24:19–25:15 | Marinakis’s quotes on Postecoglou, owner/manager dynamic | | 25:15–27:57 | How Ange’s appointment might unfold, squad buy-in | | 31:05–33:31 | Injuries under Ange, concerns about repeating Spurs’ mistakes | | 33:43–35:00 | Final thoughts: Perspective on change, fan optimism and realism |

Tone and Style

The conversation mixes sharp analysis and insider reporting with the relatable voice of a concerned, sometimes wry, supporter. The tone is candid, sometimes rueful about Forest’s “chaos,” but also balanced by an optimistic view of how far the club has come and a willingness to embrace new challenges.

Summary for Listeners

• Nottingham Forest have sacked Nuno Espirito Santo after internal power struggles, frustrating transfer dealings, and limp performances.
• Ange Postecoglou, recently of Spurs and a Europa League winner, is set to take over, favored by club owner Marinakis for both cultural and footballing reasons.
• Transition brings risk: Ange’s tactical style is vastly different, known for high-intensity football that previously led to injury crises at Spurs, but he’s also shown adaptability and the ability to win trophies.
• The atmosphere among Forest fans is one of cautious optimism mixed with a realistic understanding of their club’s unique, sometimes chaotic, recent history—echoed and amplified by the panel’s closing thoughts.

For Forest—and for football fans—the next chapter will be as fascinating as it is unpredictable.