Coach Ange Postecoglou is used to mixed reactions every time he takes a new job. Therefore, it is understandable that Nottingham Forest fans are skeptical about his appointment decision.
In 2018, at Yokohama F. Marinos, fans were surprised by the appearance of the Australian strategist. When he arrived at Celtic, the frequently asked question was "Who is Ange Postecoglou? ".
As for Tottenham Hotspur 2 years ago, the biggest concern revolved around Postecoglou's experience in the Premier League.
However, throughout his career, he has gradually convinced skeptics with titles. And when he left, fans from Australia to Japan and Scotland all expressed regret.
At Spurs, the story is more complicated. The initial skepticism quickly turned into a love for "Big Ange", then moved to another emotion.
In Postecoglou's second season, Tottenham won a European League title - the club's first major trophy since the 1991 FA Cup. But when the team dropped to 17th place in the Premier League rankings, the decision to sack was made. For the 60-year-old captain, it was a completely unfamiliar experience.
The last time Postecoglou was subjected to fierce skepticism was after his failure to bring Australia U20s to the 2007 World Cup, along with a scandalous interview with cra cra cra crafter on SBS.
In England, the current view of him is still mixed, but to some extent very different from two decades ago. At that time, almost no one believed Postecoglou had a future in his coaching career, including himself.
This coach has risen, even affirming his worth more than that. Almost every coach has gone through periods of decline in his career, but being questioned after bringing home a big title is certainly a relief.
Right or wrong, the British media has always been the most influential force in the world of football. Although he has received invitations from Germany, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and many other places, the decision to return to England this time can be considered a step for Postecoglou to restore his reputation.
Who could have imagined that, just three months after being sacked, Postecoglou would return to the Premier League, while Daniel Levy and Son Heung-min both parted ways with the Spurs.
But the journey at City Ground will certainly not be easy. Forest fans are still regretful about Nuno Espirito Santo's departure and are indifferent to Postecoglou. After their most successful season in three decades, Forest are looking for a new position.
If Postecoglou cannot adapt as many people fear, he could have difficulty taking over the position that was shaped by a coach who favored a defensive counter-attacking style. However, after working in four different countries, flexibility has become a natural part of Postecoglou's life. And it will be interesting to see how he arranges the squad in the coming weeks.
Compared to having to integrate with Greek boss Evangelos Marinakis, who is often described as "easy to explode", the challenge in Japan before was much harsher. In a completely foreign football environment and working culture, Postecoglou still found a way to change Yokohama F. Marinos' playing style and bring home his first championship in 15 years.
2 years at Tottenham certainly helped him become a more courageous coach. As for how much better it is, it still needs time to be verified. But unlike previous stages in his career, this time Postecoglou enters a new challenge with many unfinished tasks and a clear goal to prove.
