Ange Postecoglou Refuses to Take One Job in World Football No Matter What

Ange Postecoglou has already vowed never to take one managerial position in particular, describing the role as his "biggest frustration".

After just 39 days in charge, Postecoglou was sacked by Premier League strugglers Nottingham Forest on Saturday, just 19 minutes after the club suffered a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea.

The 60-year-old, who replaced Nuno Espirito Santo at the City Ground in September, was described by owner Evangelos Marinakis as having the credentials to "compete with the very best and challenge for trophies".

But after Forest failed to win any of their eight games under Postecoglou, he was brutally dismissed, just days after moving into his new flat.

Despite one of the shortest reigns in Premier League history, the Australian is being linked with a return to one of his old stomping grounds, although he has already ruled himself out of taking another familiar role.

Back in 2023, during his spell as Tottenham head coach, Postecoglou was asked if he saw himself managing the Australia national team again. It's fair to say his answer was definite.

“No. I gave up that fight," he said. "It’s a much easier space for me to live in because I was so frustrated for so long. It was my biggest frustration. One of my major drivers for doing what I did was to change football in Australia. And that’s the reason I left. I felt I hadn’t made an impact at all."

Postecoglou resigned from his role as Australia manager in 2017, just six days after the team qualified for the World Cup.

Speaking on his decision to walk away from the job, he said: “I walked away from a World Cup. We qualified and I walked away. The reason I walked away was I just didn’t enjoy what I was doing.

“I think I’ve said all along, it’s not just doing the job and winning games of football. It’s got to be a higher purpose and my higher purpose in Australia was to change the game. I just don’t think that will happen.”

Postecoglou spent four years in charge of the Australia national team. Image credit: Getty

He was offered the chance to discuss a new deal beyond the tournament in Russia, but decided against it.

"This has been a very tough decision for me," he said back in 2017. "All this has taken a toll on me both personally and professionally. I have invested all I can, knowing how important a period it was for Australian football.

"It is with a heavy heart that I must now end the journey. To coach your own country is the greatest privilege but it also has enormous responsibility."

Postecoglou, who won 22 of his 49 matches in charge of Australia, added: "I feel now is the right time to pass on that responsibility to someone who will have the energy it requires. I owe this to the football association, the players and the fans."