FOREST MAKE BIG CALL ON ANGE POSTECOGLOU BEFORE CHELSEA
Ange Postecoglou is expected to stay as Nottingham Forest manager despite a poor start with no wins in seven games. Owner Evangelos Marinakis is reportedly assessing his position during the break.
Ange Postecoglou's tenure at Nottingham Forest has started poorly, but it appears that he will stay in his position.
Nuno Espirito Santo was replaced as Tottenham's manager last month, and the former manager has lost all seven of his games in charge.
After Forest's 3-2 Europa League loss to Midtjylland, where Forest supporters screamed, "You are getting terminated in the morning," the team was easily defeated 2-0 by Newcastle at St James' Park.
Postecoglou's debut game as manager was away to Arsenal, where Forest was soundly defeated 3-0. Shortly after, they lost 3-2 to Swansea of the Championship in the League Cup.
Omar Alderete scored the game-winning goal as Sunderland defeated them 1-0 at the City Ground after draws with Burnley and Real Betis.
According to reports, Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is evaluating the Australian's status during the current international break. The Greek is a fan of Fulham manager Marco Silva, who was employed at Olympiacos under Marinakis' ownership.
But any deal for Silva would be expensive, and Fulham would have to pay a hefty compensation fee if Forest decided to use the Portuguese in place of Postecoglou.
Postecoglou is expected to stay in his job for Forest's upcoming match against Chelsea after the international break.
One explanation for that might be the dearth of managers Marinakis now has on hand; Forest is rumoured to be looking for a head coach with both continental competition expertise and experience in a top-five European league.
Additionally, during his time at Forest, Marinakis has always looked for managers who fit his requirements and are unemployed rather than moving for a manager who is under contract elsewhere.
Therefore, that might buy Postecoglou some time as he gets his team ready for their next Premier League and Europa League trips to Chelsea and Porto before they head to the Dorset coast to play in-form Bournemouth.
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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