Ange Postecoglou lifts the lid on Evangelos Marinakis relationship as Nottingham Forest ambition set
by Sarah Clapson · NottinghamshireLiveAnge Postecoglou is keen to repay the support he has received from ambitious Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis as he targets success in the Carabao Cup.
Greek businessman Marinakis talked of targeting trophies when Postecoglou’s appointment as Reds head coach was announced last week. Wednesday night’s third-round tie away to Swansea City (8pm kick-off) offers an opportunity to progress in a competition the club have won four times in the past.
Postecoglou says he has not seen Marinakis in person since he arrived Trentside but the Forest chief has ‘reached out’. And after losing at Arsenal at the weekend, the Greek-born Australian is eager to claim his first win when his team go to south Wales.
“I haven't seen him because he's not been here,” Postecoglou said of Marinakis. “And I was contemplating switching my phone off for a couple of days after the loss!
“He's been good. He's reached out. Everyone's been really supportive, including him. He knows the challenge that's before us, but he's very ambitious.
“Does our nationality or commonality help? Maybe it does, but ultimately the relationship is always the same.
“You've seen he's supported both the previous managers very, very well since they've been here. That's all you can ask for as a manager - that you get supported. I know I will be, and hopefully I can repay that.”
He added: “Everyone's been fantastic. I've just got a really good feeling in the club.
Get breaking Forest news sent direct to your phone
Join our Nottingham Forest WhatsApp group and get the latest breaking news, interviews and opinion sent straight to your phone, plus matchday team news and live updates of all the action. Just click here and select ‘Join Community’ to get started. The only proviso is that you must have WhatsApp on your phone to participate. No one will be able to see your personal information and you will only receive messages from the NottinghamshireLive Reds writers.
We will not spam your WhatsApp feed with constant messages, but you will receive updates from us daily with the latest Reds stories. If you later decide to opt out, just go to the name at the top of your screen and click 'Exit Group'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you are curious, you can click here to read our Privacy Notice.
“A lot of the people have been on the journey from when the owner came in and understand everything they've had to overcome to get to where they are. They're very proud of what they've achieved so far and very ambitious.
“They're constantly looking for ways to improve in every aspect. I've felt very welcome. I've settled in really quickly. Not just me, the staff and the players have all been brilliant. I feel like it's been longer than seven days.”
Reaching a cup final would certainly be one way for Postecoglou to repay Marinakis’ backing. He made it to the last four of the Carabao Cup with Tottenham Hotspur last season and wants to go one step further.
Quizzed on whether he views the competition as a chance to bid for silverware, Postecoglou said: “Yes. Yes, absolutely. I got to the semi-finals last year.
“Every opportunity you have to win a trophy, you shouldn’t let go because it's hard to win things in football. Especially when you're at a club that has had success in the past but the supporters want more of it, then, for sure, this cup gives us an opportunity to progress. We want to give ourselves every opportunity to win some silverware.
“All the games are important, both in the context of the club's ambition but also in the context of where we are in terms of the season. It's a great opportunity for us tomorrow night to implement some of the things that we want to do over the next period.”