New Nottingham Forest manager Ange Postecoglou has revealed he knew the axe was coming at Tottenham prior to the Europa League final.
The Australian coach was sacked by Spurs a little over two weeks after winning the Europa League against Manchester United - the club's first trophy in 17 years.
However, Postecoglou revealed he knew his time was up at Tottenham well before victory in the European final.
The decision to sack the 60-year-old was made after Spurs finished 17th in the Premier League, just one position above the relegation zone.
“It wasn’t great. I knew it was coming so it wasn’t a surprise. I knew it was coming a fair way before the final,” Postecoglou told reporters in his first press conference as Forest coach.
“We won it and had the parade and had a great three days and I didn’t want to tarnish that, but I knew it was done.
“From my perspective, I had the chance to process it. Whether I feel it was unjust, other people make those decisions, they make those determinations.”
Postecoglou is notoriously known as a manager who's teams excel during his second season in charge at the club, with success coming at Brisbane, Yokohama and Tottenham after initial struggles.
But the Australian joked that he might need to win silverware in his first season at Nottingham to appease Greek owner Evangelos Marinakis.
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“I have won a couple in my first season. At Celtic I won a double in my first,” Postecoglou said.
“I may have to win one to get a second year here. That’s what I want to do. I want to win trophies.”
Postecoglou will make his debut as Forest coach on Saturday night as his new team travel at Arsenal - with the match broadcast live on Stan Sport in Australia from 9:30pm (AEST).