Nottingham Forest’s Managerial Change Sparks Controversy

Collymore Critiques Nuno’s Dismissal

Stan Collymore, a notable figure associated with Nottingham Forest, has expressed strong disapproval regarding the termination of manager Nuno Espirito Santo, labeling the decision as a “disgrace.”

Nuno was relieved of his duties with the club on Tuesday morning, paving the way for Ange Postecoglou to take the helm.

Concerns Over the Transition

Collymore has voiced his dissatisfaction regarding the manner in which Postecoglou was appointed. He conveyed his thoughts to Tribalfootball.com, stating, “As a commentator, I find this situation utterly disgraceful. Many observers, including myself, had concerns when we saw owner Evangelos Marinakis on the sidelines last season.”

He elaborated, “Not long ago, Nuno openly acknowledged the challenging situation in a press briefing, while a player like Douglas Luiz—reportedly favored by transfer specialist Edu—has yet to see any action on the pitch under Nuno’s management.”

Collymore pointed out a clear power struggle, stating, “The manager insists on his authority regarding player selection, irrespective of who they buy. However, it appears that Mr. Marinakis intervened and decided it was time for a change.”

Criticism of the New Appointment

Turning his attention to Nuno’s successor, Collymore described the selection of Postecoglou as lacking ambition. He remarked, “I’m not surprised it’s him. This feels like a rather complacent choice. I recall a scene from the summer where Marinakis presented a trophy to Ange, and I could see a connection developing between them.”

Collymore continued, “It makes sense in that regard—a Greek owner brings on a Greek manager. Ange has already demonstrated success, having secured the Europa League title with Spurs. Nottingham Forest is also competing in the Europa League this season, and Marinakis may believe that if he could achieve that success with Spurs, he can replicate it here.”

He emphasized the challenges this could bring to the club, noting, “Ange Postecoglou’s playstyle dramatically contrasts with Nuno’s approach. Nuno tended to adopt a deeper defensive strategy and looked for opportunities to counterattack, while Anges prefers an attacking style that pressures opponents more intensively.”

Collymore concluded, “Switching from one tactical philosophy to another early in the season will be a considerable challenge. Observing how this transition unfolds will be intriguing, but, from my perspective, the way the club has treated Nuno Espirito Santo—who has been an admirable manager for Nottingham Forest—is quite disappointing.”