Nottingham Forest manager, Ange Postecoglou has said that he does not feel the need to prove himself to critics as he prepares to guide the club into their first European campaign in decades.
The Australian coach, who turned 60 over the weekend, said his only focus is to bring joy to the fans and build something lasting at Forest, rather than chasing validation from doubters.
Postecoglou stated this during his first news conference as Nottingham Forest manager on Thursday.
“I don’t see it as a point to prove. I don’t have to prove anything to anyone.
“You let your actions speak for themselves and you understand the responsibility you have. You have to provide joy to the supporters, that’s why football clubs exist. They are the lifeblood of this game,” Postecoglou said.
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Postecoglou added that regardless of the trophies he may win, there will always be sceptics.
“I’ll win things here and people will still have doubts about me. I just want to keep doing what I need to do because it brings joy to people and allows me to live my dreams,” he said.
Forest’s return to European football has raised expectations among the club’s supporters, who last tasted continental action more than 25 years ago. Postecoglou urged fans to rally behind the team and embrace the possibilities ahead.
He said, “Hopefully they’ll get behind the team and be excited about what we can achieve. The club is back in Europe and that is really an incentive to create something special. The players have been fantastic. They know they have a responsibility to perform for this football club.”
Reflecting on his previous spell in charge of Tottenham Hotspur, Postecoglou admitted he has learned valuable lessons that will help him in this new chapter at the City Ground.
“Last year was a bit of a unique season. We didn’t have a great pre-season, we weren’t prepared,” he recalled. “I’m coming in three games into this season, and when I look at the squad there’s certainly more experience compared to when I started at Spurs.”
He pointed out that the squad composition at Forest gives him more tools to work with.
“We signed some young players at Spurs last year that we had to blood, but here there’s a blend of youth and experience. That balance matters when you’re facing the Thursday-Sunday grind of Europe and the league.”
Postecoglou also expressed belief that his staff and players are better equipped to cope with the demands of European football thanks to their preparation and shared experience.
“Me and the coaching staff have the life experience of what it’s like, and that will help us navigate it a bit better. The other guys at Forest have done a lot of work studying clubs like ours and Villa last year to prepare for the season,” he added.
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