PETER CROUCH DROPS CANDID VERDICT ON ANGE POSTECOGLOU AT FOREST
Peter Crouch predicts Ange Postecoglou's tenure at Nottingham Forest "won't end well." The manager is under pressure with the club just one point above the Premier League relegation zone.
Peter Crouch has already predicted what he believes will happen next, even though Ange Postecoglou made it through the international break despite having a bad start at Nottingham Forest.
In September, Nuno Espirito Santo was controversially replaced by Postecoglou because of off-field conflicts between the current West Ham United manager and Nottingham Forest's ownership.
Postecoglou, who has not won since taking over the club, has found life at the City Ground to be anything but easy.
The pressure on the Australian coach is already beginning to mount as Nottingham Forest is only one point above the Premier League relegation zone.
His employment position has been the subject of much conjecture as a result, with many commentators expressing their opinions on what the team needs to do.
Ange Postecoglou's stint at Nottingham Forest will not "end well," according to Peter Crouch.
Postecoglou was under more criticism after Nottingham Forest's loss to Newcastle United before the international break, with Roy Keane saying he will not be around until the end of the season unless things improve.
Even though Postecoglou has been enjoying a respite from the spotlight, the former Liverpool player made a dire prediction about his future in the most recent episode of That Peter Crouch podcast.
Yes, Big Ange, it seems to me that he is having difficulties. Indeed, it appears like the crowd is already shifting. Really, it did not feel like a fit, did it?
"It was chalk and cheese when you consider Nuno's and Ange's playing styles. They had a lot of success under Nuno, but I guess he just came in and attempted to make adjustments. Therefore, if we are being completely honest, I do not think that will end well.
With no games to worry about during the international break, Postecoglou has had the advantage of working closely with the majority of his players.
However, it is unclear if that chance will have affected the team's adaptation to his style of play; supporters will find out on Saturday.
This Saturday, Nottingham Forest takes on Chelsea, who just defeated Liverpool, in what is sure to be another difficult test.
It will take time for Ange Postecoglou to put his style into practice.
This transition time has been difficult since Nottingham Forest took a risk when they hired Postecoglou because his style of play is the reverse of what was going on before him.
However, the club will need to allow him more time to put his ideas into practice if they genuinely want to see the best out of him as manager.
In order to bring in players who align with his philosophy, Postecoglou will need financial support, which will extend to training, game days, and future acquisitions.
At that point, Nottingham Forest will need to weigh their options and decide whether to follow Alan Shearer's suggestion and give Postecoglou a few more games or to wait it out.
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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