Alious
Fresh from guiding Tottenham Hotspur to Europa League glory in May, Ange Postecoglou is back on Spanish soil—this time tasked with writing a new chapter for Nottingham Forest. The two-time European Cup winners make their long-awaited return to continental action on Thursday morning against Real Betis in Seville, a landmark moment for a club that has waited since 1996 to hear the anthem of European nights.
Forest’s last appearance came in a UEFA Cup quarter-final clash with Bayern Munich, and while the club once stood at the very peak of European football, the years since have been marked by decline and struggle. Just four years ago, Forest sat rock bottom of the Championship. Now, under Postecoglou’s stewardship, they have the chance to rekindle old glories.
For the Australian manager, who ended Spurs’ 17-year silverware drought just months ago, the challenge is clear: deliver Forest their first major trophy since the 1990 League Cup. Nearly 3,500 loyal fans have secured tickets for the clash at La Cartuja, with thousands more traveling without, determined not to miss their side’s historic comeback on the European stage.
“This is absolutely a massive moment,” Postecoglou acknowledged when asked about the weight of the occasion. “For thirty years this club has been waiting to return, and you can feel the excitement. Whole generations of fans have only heard stories of Forest’s past greatness. Now, they get to live it.”
The anticipation is heightened, but Forest’s recent form has been mixed. Since Postecoglou’s arrival, they have yet to secure a win—suffering a heavy defeat at Arsenal, a dramatic League Cup exit to Swansea, and a frustrating draw with Burnley. Despite a sluggish start, bookmakers still rank them among the early contenders for Europa League success, in part thanks to Postecoglou’s proven pedigree.
Indeed, Forest’s place in the competition was somewhat fortuitous. They had originally qualified for the Europa Conference League after finishing seventh in last season’s Premier League, but were promoted to the Europa League following Crystal Palace’s disqualification under UEFA’s multi-ownership rules. The twist has given Postecoglou the chance to defend the very trophy he lifted in Bilbao with Spurs.
The Forest boss knows how to adapt on Europe’s biggest nights. His Tottenham side famously abandoned their free-flowing attacking football to grind out a gritty 1-0 win in the final, a tactical pragmatism he admits may be required again. Even so, he insists that his philosophy will not be abandoned entirely.
“Yes, people want me to be pragmatic,” he admitted. “But I’m not built that way. I’ll always want to win, and I’ll do whatever it takes to achieve that. The Europa League demands certain adjustments, but the goal is the same: victory.”
Forest’s early signs under his watch have shown glimpses of his trademark style, with inverted full-backs and long passing sequences producing promise, if not results. Statistically, they have registered more “build-up attacks” than any other side in Postecoglou’s short tenure, but goals have been scarce. The pieces are still being assembled.
At 60, Postecoglou understands the narrative. From South Melbourne’s improbable Club World Cup run, to Celtic’s dominance, to Spurs’ European breakthrough, he has built a career on reviving sleeping giants. Now, Forest becomes his latest project—one rich with history, yearning for a modern revival.
“It’s brilliant,” he reflected. “Football is about dreams. If you do things right, you can reach the very top. Those are the stories that endure, and Forest is ready to write theirs again.”
Alious
