New Forest boss Postecoglou shoulders great expectations / Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS - AFP/File
New Forest boss Postecoglou shoulders great expectations
Nottingham Forest's new manager Ange Postecoglou is adamant he can handle the pressure of turning his club into trophy winners as he prepares for his debut against Arsenal on Saturday.
Postecoglou was hired by Forest earlier this week, returning to the Premier League just three months after being sacked by Tottenham.
The Australian, who lost his job at Tottenham 16 days after winning the Europa League, arrived at the City Ground following Nuno Espirito Santo's dismissal.
Nuno fell out with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis over the club's transfer policy and paid the price despite leading them to European qualification for the first time in 30 years.
Marinakis hailed Postecoglou's appointment by insisting Forest are ready to challenge for silverware.
That might seem an ambitious statement given Forest have not won a major trophy since the 1990 League Cup.
But Postecoglou delivered on his boast that he always wins a trophy in his second season while at Tottenham and the 60-year-old knows he might have to achieve success even more quickly to satisfy Marinakis.
"I have won a couple in my first season. At Celtic I won a double in my first," he said on Thursday.
"I may have to win one to get a second year here. That's what I want to do. I want to win trophies."
He added: "Every club wants to be successful, but since the president took over the club those ambitions are backed up with actions. Perfect conditions for me."
If Postecoglou can win a trophy for Forest, he would follow in the footsteps of Brian Clough, who led the club to a pair of European Cups and the English title during the club's golden era in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
However, Postecoglou did not want to be compared to Clough as he looks to create his own legacy.
"He's a standalone legend. He's one of these figures you cannot compare to," said the Australian.
"He's one of the most legendary figures going around. He did it at a football club where no one expected that. If I can bring similar joy to this club and this city, I'll be a very happy man."
Postecoglou was criticised for his ultra-attacking tactics at Tottenham, which contrast with the cautious style that brought Forest success under Nuno.
The Australian's game-plan was exposed as Tottenham finished 17th last season but he will not compromise.
"I do like my teams to play exciting football and score goals. Get fans excited for sure. No apologies about that. That's just the way I am and the way I want to see my teams play," Postecoglou said.
"The fans are not going to love me from the first day. I've got to earn their respect."
P.Jahn--BVZ
