Ange Postecoglou, Nuno Espirito Santo, and the yearn for perfection in an age that lacks respect | OneFootball

Tottenham’s ex-boss is thriving at Nottingham Forest ahead of Boxing Day reunion

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has spoken a lot about respect recently.

But was Nuno underappreciated at Spurs? Supporters will be keen to remind how unsightly the football was under his tutelage. Tottenham had the worst goal difference in the Premier League when he was sacked after just 10 league games in charge.

Head to head: Ange Postecoglou and Nuno Espirito Santo will pit their coaching wits when Tottenham go to Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day

AP/PA

That said, the fact that Tottenham head into their Boxing Day clash at the City Ground sitting seven spots below fourth-place Nottingham Forest shows Nuno’s short-lived stay at Tottenham in 2021 will go down as a blot on the copybook of the former Wolves boss, rather than an indication it was somehow a job he was unqualified to do.

“It is about giving the respect,” Postecoglou explained. “There’s a really easy way to dismiss a person on the back of something not working out. It obviously didn’t work out for him here, [but] he did a great job at Wolves.

Postecoglou noted that promoted teams have really struggled in the Premier League in recent seasons, but that Forest, instead, “have thrived” since coming up in 2022.

“I followed Nuno's career for quite a while,” he said. “He had a couple of my players, Australian players, at times in his teams. I've got great admiration for him because he went through a similarly tough time where people just liked to write [him] off. He's doing a fantastic job at Forest.”

Unquestionably so. Few, if any, would have predicted four months ago that Forest would be sat in a Champions League position at Christmas.

Some may even feel they head into their Boxing Day game against Spurs as favourites, given the visitors’ heavy 6-3 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday, after which Postecoglou’s frothing responses to questions about his unwavering tactical stubbornness hinted at deflection of blame he knew he must shoulder.

Tottenham have scored more goals than any other Premier League outfit this term yet languish in the bottom half. “Are you not entertained?” asked their idealistic manager after the 4-3 Carabao Cup win over Manchester United.

I've got great admiration for him because he went through a similarly tough time where people just liked to write him off

Ange Postecoglou on Nuno Espirito Santo

But like Nuno’s defensive approach at Spurs three years ago, Postecoglou’s football has drawn derision and criticism. Will people criticise anything and everything these days? The Australian was asked his view.

“I think that’s the case,” he accepted. “But that’s OK — in today’s world we search for perfection, and it doesn’t exist. Whatever road you go down, there’s going to be some pain and some challenges.

“People say I should be more defensive-minded in my approach, so that means I need to temper my attacking approach, make it more defensive. To achieve what? Achieve perfection. And if you’re too defensive, people say you should be a little bit more attacking. For what purpose? To be perfect.”

Tottenham fans may feel inclined to reply that they aren’t too bothered about perfect — just about being at least as good as Nuno’s Forest. That they would respect.