Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers and predecessor Ange Postecoglou must avoid poisoned chalice at Nottingham Forest – Opinion

Add as preferred source on Google

Brendan Rodgers and Ange Postecoglou are two managers with some things in common, but some distinct differences.

Both were exactly what Celtic needed when they were hired. Both used their contacts to rebuild a squad in a desperate state.

However, both also jumped ship to England without completing three seasons at Celtic Park – a clear sign that some of their ambitions were well beyond Glasgow.

Now, according to the Daily Telegraph, both are in the running for the Nottingham Forest job following the dismissal of Nuno Espirito Santo.

For Postecoglou, a pre-existing relationship with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis puts him in a favourable position. Rodgers is hamstrung by his previous vow to honour his three-year contract – but that hasn’t stopped him before.

But Nottingham Forest? This isn’t the right opportunity for either.

Nottingham Forest is not the right job for Brendan Rodgers or Ange Postecoglou

Few expected Forest to be anywhere near the top-half of the Premier League last campaign – let alone to qualify for the Europa League, as they eventually did.

READ MORE: Brendan Rodgers told to ‘go and meet’ Celtic fans if what he said about the club is ‘true’

Fans saw it as the club’s best season since, at least, the turn of the century. This is not a rebuild job which is needed – it is taking an already-overperforming team to the next level.

Not only was Nuno incredibly well-liked by the City Ground faithful, but he achieved it by playing a direct style of football, which was based around penalty box defending. See this graph, which shows how standout their style of play was.

The graph shows that no team allowed a higher percentage of opposing possession sequences to enter the box than Forest in the league. In short, they defend their box more than anyone else.

Any Celtic fan will know that this is not what either Rodgers or Postecoglou was known for. In fact, both managers have developed reputations for being committed to a dominant, high-possession brand of football.

Just look at last week’s 0-0 draw against Rangers at Ibrox – Celtic had 60% of the possession, away from home, against a Russell Martin side. Either coach would be a radical shift from Nuno, in terms of play-style.

Brendan Rodgers and Ange Postecoglou unlikely to last long under Marinakis’ regime

It’s fair to say that either appointment would need time in order to allow Forest’s squad to adjust to a different tactical approach.

Marinakis would be signing up for this. His admiration for Postecoglou is public – he presented him with an award for his European achievement with Tottenham.

However, there is no evidence to suggest that Nottingham Forest’s squad could maintain results that the owner would accept, whilst making a change to style they have never played with.

So, despite the ongoing controversy regarding Rodgers being backed at Celtic, and the pre-existing relationship that Postecoglou has – taking over at City Ground would be an unnecessary risk for both.