ANGE POSTECOGLOU HITS BACK AT PRESSURE QUESTION AFTER CHANTS
Ange Postecoglou is under pressure at Nottingham Forest after a loss to FC Midtjylland. Get the latest on his future, fan reaction, and a preview of the crucial Newcastle United match as he fights for his first win.
In the midst of his quest for his first victory, Ange Postecoglou acknowledges that speculation regarding his future as head coach of Nottingham Forest is inevitable.
The Reds' 3-2 Europa League loss to FC Midtjylland on Thursday night marked six games without a win under the 60-year-old. This resulted in the home fans yelling at the man in the dugout, "You're getting sacked in the morning."
Currently, Postecoglou's job is not seen to be in danger. However, it has been reported that if Forest does not return from Sunday's trip to Newcastle United with a victory (2 pm kickoff), the club may reevaluate his status over the international break.
“I understand. It is a reasonable assumption, in my opinion, that a manager is constantly under pressure in modern sport. That's simply a component of our work," Postecoglou replied.
"I disagree with that. Essentially, I won something (the Europa League) even though I knew I was going to be fired from Tottenham three or four months before I was fired.
"I don't think of it." Getting this football team to advance and reach a point where it can compete for things is my obligation.
I'm not carrying out my assigned function if I start thinking about what may happen next week. That just doesn't seem useful to anyone, in my opinion.
"The setting, our training, and our style of play are all under my control. I continue to firmly believe that we are not that far away.
At Forest, Postecoglou has adopted a more offensive style of play since taking over as manager from Nuno Espirito Santo. He has lost four of his games in charge and drawn two, though, so results have not followed.
"If anyone hasn't noticed a change, I'd be shocked," the former Tottenham Hotspur manager remarked. The last five games provide ample evidence that we have fundamentally changed the way we approach things, including how we set up, how we possess the ball, how we create chances, and how aggressive we are with and without the ball. "Results to one side—and obviously that's the ultimate measure."
Naturally, that's always a work in progress, and we're still figuring out which players have acclimated to it the fastest, which ones require more time, and which ones we need to collaborate with to make changes. When switching between different playing styles, that is only normal.
If anyone had assumed that would happen overnight, I would have been shocked. However, I believe there is ample proof that the players have accepted it and that our style of play has changed. However, there is always a doubt as to whether or not that kind of change has been beneficial because the outcomes haven't happened on their own.
To win over Reds supporters who aren't convinced by his hiring, Postecoglou has a lot of work ahead of him. Many questioned if he was the best candidate for the position when he started last month, and many of them expressed their opinions when they sang Nuno's name on Thursday night.
Sending messages to fans bothers me. They adore their football team and are clearly dissatisfied with both last night's performance and the current state of affairs," Postecoglou continued.
"The only thing I can do is carry out my duty to lead the squad to turn our fortunes around. The supporters would undoubtedly be happy with everything if we did it.
Sels, Savona, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams, Sangare, Anderson, Bakwa, Gibbs-White, Ndoye, and Jesus were the players whom Forest expected to be in the starting lineup.
HOW JAMES MADDISON’S INDIVIDUAL TRAINING SIGNALS A SHOCK SEASON RETURN
James Maddison returns to individual training as Igor Tudor prepares Tottenham for a vital relegation battle with Forest.
Ahead of Tottenham’s match against Nottingham Forest, manager Igor Tudor gave an update on when James Maddison might return from injury. It’s a crucial moment for Spurs as they prepare to host Forest in what could be the defining 90 minutes of Tudor’s time at the club and quite possibly a key fixture that will shape the season for both teams.
Currently separated by just one point, Tottenham and Forest are locked in a battle against relegation. A win would push Spurs four points clear of the drop zone, while a loss might drag them into the bottom three. The stakes couldn’t be clearer.
Tudor’s side heads into this game with renewed energy, surprisingly positive given the mood just two weeks ago. The draw at Anfield broke a six-game losing streak, and their recent 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid, though not enough to overturn the aggregate score, brought back a sense of belief. Young players like Xavi Simons and Archie Gray impressed, while Mathys Tel kept the opposition on their toes. The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was electric in a way fans haven’t felt for months. While the Champions League hopes are dashed, that performance has injected valuable momentum into Spurs’ survival fight.
There’s also some hopeful news on the injury front. Dominic Solanke, who missed the Atlético leg with a hip issue, might be available. His physical presence adds a different dimension to Tottenham’s attack, which Tudor will surely be glad to have.
But the most promising update came from Tudor’s comments about Maddison. The creative midfielder, sidelined since August after rupturing his ACL in a preseason friendly, has begun some individual training, spotted alongside Palhinha. Recoveries from ACL injuries are never straightforward, and the team won’t rush him back. With only seven league games left after Sunday, there’s a narrow window for his return. Still, even the possibility of Maddison getting back on the pitch—someone who can change a game with a moment of skill or a precise pass—offers a much-needed morale boost.
For now, though, the focus remains firmly on Forest.
WHY BORUSSIA DORTMUND EXPECT JADON SANCHO TO SIGN FOR FREE
Unai Emery praises Jadon Sancho despite poor stats, while Dortmund free up £21m in wages to lure him back to Germany.
Borussia Dortmund really want Jadon Sancho back, and they’re hoping to get him for free from Manchester United. Sancho’s contract runs out this summer, and honestly, no one expects United to offer him a new one.
Right now, Sancho’s on loan at Aston Villa. It’s his third spell away from Old Trafford since United signed him for £73 million in 2021. His move to Villa was just a loan with no option to buy.
Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, has hinted he might keep Sancho, but Dortmund aren’t sitting around. The Times says Dortmund didn’t chase wingers last summer because Nico Kovac liked the 3-4-2-1 formation, but now the boss has changed his mind and wants Sancho back.
If Sancho comes back, he'll need to take a hefty pay cut from his £300,000-a-week salary. Still, Dortmund’s where he made his name after moving from Manchester City in 2017.
Dortmund have room in the budget this summer; they let the contracts of Julian Brandt, Niklas Süle, and Salih Özcan run out. That saves them about £21 million a year, and they’re optimistic they can lure Sancho, who’s allowed to strike pre-contract deals with foreign clubs.
Sancho actually spent half of the 2024 season back at Dortmund after Erik ten Hag froze him out at United. He helped them reach the Champions League final, but nothing permanent came of it.
Something similar happened during his loan to Chelsea last season. The club even paid a £5 million penalty just to avoid having to sign him outright. Villa picked him up right at the transfer deadline in September, but, once again, he’s struggled.
So far, Sancho’s got one goal and one assist in 29 games across all competitions. Still, Emery thinks there’s more to come.
When asked in February about signing Sancho for good, Emery said, “Not yet, but he’s a fantastic player. Hopefully, he can help us by improving within our system, like he is doing.
“He’ll need a new contract; maybe it’s here. If he plays his best football, we’ll want him. But other teams will be interested, too.”
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