Arsenal fans wasted no time letting their feelings about Ange Postecoglou be known as the former Tottenham Hotspur boss made his return to the Premier League with Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
When Big Ange checked the Tricky Trees’ fixture-list after getting the job earlier this week, he would’ve known a trip to the Emirates would be a tough start – and that’s exactly what it was.
It took 32 minutes for Arsenal to break the dead-lock after a cagey opening third, with Martin Zubimendi connecting sweetly with a volley to send it past Matz Sels in the Forest net.
Viktor Gyokeres later made it two just after the interval when he tapped home a teasing cross from Eberechi Eze, before Zubimendi leaped to flick home a header and seal the victory for Mikel Arteta’s men on 79 minutes.
It was far from a perfect start for Ange at Forest, who have now suffered back-to-back 3-0 defeats, and Arsenal supporters certainly let him know it.
‘Are you Tottenham in disguise?,’ the home supporters chanted at the Australian before later belting out: ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning!’
Ange Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest slumped to a 0-3 loss to Arsenal on the Australian’s return to the Premier League
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Gunners fans chanted, ‘Are you Tottenham in disguise?’ at the former Spurs boss
Martin Zubimendi bagged a brace – his first two goals for the club – in a dominant victory for Mikel Arteta’s men
Under Evangelos Marinakis, Postecoglou will be well aware that he’ll need to pick up points sooner rather than later if he’s to see a second season at the City Ground.
Yet with easier fixtures on the horizon – Burnley at home next up before a trip to Real Betis in the Europa League – Forest fans will be hopeful their side can turnaround a somewhat disappointing start to the season.
Postecoglou was under no illusions as to the expectations he’ll be expected to meet in his new job at his first Forest press conference earlier this week.
When asked whether he can bring silverware to the East Midlands, the manager replied: ‘Of course I can, I may have to [win a trophy] to get a second year here.
‘I’ve said it already, that’s what I want to do. I want to win trophies. That’s that’s what I’ve done my whole career, and that’s what I want to try and do here.
‘Every club wants to be successful, but since the president took over the club those ambitions are backed up with actions. Perfect conditions for me.’
He took over the Forest job from Nuno Espirito Santo following a growing feud between the Portuguese boss and the club’s bullish Greek owner.
Tensions had been rising as early as the summer as Nuno complained about his squad heading into the new season, with the former Wolves manager later admitting his relationship with Marinakis was not what it used to be.
The Forest owner however seemingly threw water on the fire just a couple of weeks ago, claiming he and Nuno maintain a ‘strong relationship’.
Yet just days on and Nuno was shown the exit the door, with Ange – who had dined with Marinakis in Greece over the summer – taking over just hours later.
