Murillo responds as Neco Williams posts ‘amazing’ Nuno message after Nottingham Forest sacking
Nottingham Forest’s defensive setup is set for wholesale changes after the appointment of Ange Postecoglou in Nuno Espirito Santo’s place.
Forest confirmed Postecoglou as their new manager in the wake of Espirito Santo‘s exit, after Football Insider revealed that the Australian would take several former Tottenham coaches to the City Ground.
Football Insider reported that Espirito Santo had held “crisis talks” with Forest’s hierarchy on Monday after his relationship with Evangelos Marinakis broke down, and the axe was swung on his job overnight.
Postecoglou’s arrival has left club legend Stuart Pearce worried due to the contrast in his style of play with Espirito Santo’s, after Nottingham Forest‘s defence-first approach paid dividends with a seventh-placed Premier League finish.
Neco Williams pays tribute after Nuno Espirito Santo sack
Tottenham’s defence was torn to shreds on the regular under Postecoglou last season, and the potential of this happening is the biggest skepticism to emerge at Nottingham Forest following his appointment.
Espirito Santo’s counter attack-focused system maximised his squad’s strengths and maintained their solidity in defence, with Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic becoming two of the league’s best centre-backs.
Neco Williams also played a key role in helping Matz Sels to record 13 clean sheets with just 46 goals conceded, and he posted a message on Instagram to pay tribute to Espirito Santo’s impact.
Murillo liked his fellow defender’s message, which said: “Thank you, boss. You gave me the opportunity to grow and learn wearing the shirt.
“Had some amazing memories playing under you and wish you nothing but the best in the future!”
Nottingham Forest set for huge changes under Ange Postecoglou
Football Insider Verdict
There’s no denying that Forest’s breaktaking counter-attacks could become even more commonplace under an attack-minded manager like Postecoglou, but that will only highlight the element of risk further.
Ola Aina, Arnaud Kalimuendo and Douglas Luiz have all been backed to excel with Postecoglou at the helm, but it remains to be seen how Murillo, Milenkovic and co are looking forward to the stylistic change.
Sels is yet to manage a clean sheet this term as he looks to improve on his 13 last season, but few Forest fans will be anticipating a return to the defence-first approach which worked to great effect in 2024–25.