Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis made his feelings on Ange Postecoglou crystal clear just a month after he left Tottenham, as the Greek-Aussie becomes the favourite to replace Nuno Espirito Santo.
Santo parted company with Forest today despite making history by qualifying for Europe last season, after his fractured relationship with chief Marinakis hit the point of no return.
The two didn’t see eye to eye and got into an on-pitch confrontation after the final game of last season.
Over the summer, Santo said his relationship with the Greek owner had changed and they barely communicated any more.
And just three games into this season, they’ve made the change – with former Spurs boss Postecoglou, who won the Europa League before he was dismissed in June, instantly shooting to the top of the favourites’ list.
It’s not hard to see why either.
Marinakis and Postecoglou, who were born in Greece within two years of one another, are known friends and the Forest supremo spoke at an awards ceremony in his homeland where his pal was recognised for his achievements in his managerial career, which has seen him win trophies on three continents – including five with Celtic.
Speaking at the event, Marinakis said: “What I want to say about Ange is that he has spoken about Greece many times, he is proud to be Greek and in the great success he had with Tottenham by winning the Europa League, he spoke about Greece.
“A man who not only does not hide his origin but is also proud of it. What he achieved, he did with a team that has not won any titles, it has had a very difficult time in recent years.
“In this huge success that the whole world saw, he promoted Greece. We must thank him especially for this and we wish him well, although we are sure that he will do well as he has the ability. Wherever he goes, the successes will come.”
Also in the running for the vacant Forest job is Jose Mourinho but it appears the positive relationship between Postecoglou and Marinakis works in his favour.
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