Nottingham Forest signing destined for greatness under Ange Postecoglou
Ange Postecoglou and his brand of football could pave the way for one player to make a comeback at Nottingham Forest.
“Risk-taker” Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis shockingly appointed Postecoglou after sacking Nuno Espirito Santo during the September 2025 international break.
The Portuguese will likely not be without a job for long as sources told Football Insider on 14 September that Espirito Santo is on the radar of Premier League and European clubs.
Yet, former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara felt that Postecoglou does not deserve the Nottingham Forest job after his footballing philosophy led Spurs to a 17th-placed finish in 2024-25.
However, the Australian’s arrival could be good news for ex-Aston Villa starlet Douglas Luiz after he returned to the Premier League following a one-year hiatus at Juventus.
Douglas Luiz tipped for comeback season at Nottingham Forest following disappointment at Juventus
The ex-Man City prodigy left Villa Park at the end of the 2023-24 season to join Italian giants Juventus with the move proving to be an underwhelming one.
Luiz managed just 841 minutes in all competitions as he was sidelined by niggling injuries and superior performances by teammates.
However, his loan move to Forest could be precisely what he needs to get his career back on track and the arrival of Postecoglou will only amplify the potential to become a first team regular.
Speaking on talkSPORT (16 September), journalist Darren Lewis was excited by what fans should expect from the Brazilian who is still waiting on his debut for the Garibaldi.
He said: “Douglas Luiz is on the bench, the midfielder who I like. He knows where the goal is. He’s a really strong presence in the middle of the park.
“What a player to bring into your midfield if that’s the case and he comes back Douglas Luiz from Italy as well.
“And I imagine he will be alongside Morgan Gibbs-White [Elliot Anderson] in the middle of the park and what a pairing they’re going to be.”
Douglas Luiz seeking to rediscover Aston Villa form under Ange Postecoglou could lead to World Cup guarantee
The Brazilian international’s move to Italy always baffled me after the 27-year-old became a key reliable player for Unai Emery.
His sale was likely down to PSR issues but when the former Girona playmaker left for Juventus, his career didn’t continue on the same trajectory as with the Villains.
Luiz will be eager to force his way into the starting XI and challenge Ibrahim Sangare for the defensive-midfield spot alongside Anderson.
| Douglas Luiz 2023-24 Aston Villa all competitions | |
| Appearances | 53 |
| Minutes played | 4,351 |
| Goals | 10 |
| Assists | 10 |
During his final season at Villa Park the marauding midfielder was electric, appearing in 53 matches in all competitions and racking up 20 goal contributions.
By getting back to these levels, not only will he be one of the go-to men for Postecoglou but he could also get back into the Brazil squad.
Carlo Ancelotti will be keeping a keen eye on Luiz who will be wanting to make a return to the Seleção for the first time since the 2024 Copa America.
Time is of the essence for the number 12 who needs to make an impact at the City Ground if he wants to represent his nation once again on the global stage.