Gary Neville has reignited his war of words with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis after the shock axe of manager Ange Postecoglou — just 19 minutes after a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Chelsea.
Postecoglou’s Lightning-Quick Sacking Sparks Outrage
Postecoglou’s brief 39-day tenure is the Premier League’s second-shortest ever. Neville slammed the brutal timing on The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast, branding it a “total lack of dignity.”
Co-host Jill Scott didn’t hold back: “You didn’t have to be a d*** about it.” Neville agreed, condemning Forest owner Marinakis for showing a “fundamental lack of professionalism.”
Neville, drawing from his own managerial experience at Salford City, blasted the manner of the dismissal. “When you get sacked, you feel paranoid, like you’ve let everyone down,” he said. “They should’ve waited at least five hours to let Ange say goodbye properly to players and staff.”
Old Grudge With Forest Owner Blows Up Again
This furious flare-up reopens Neville’s long-running feud with Marinakis. Back in April, Neville accused Forest of acting “like a mafia gang” over their treatment of former boss Nuno Espírito Santo and their public questioning of VAR official Stuart Attwell’s integrity.
Neville called Forest’s statements “embarrassing” and “petulant.” Marinakis struck back with lawyers, forcing Sky Sports to apologise and costing Forest a £750,000 fine for attacking a match official.
The icy atmosphere escalated further when Forest banned Neville from the City Ground last season, denying him access to co-commentate a game. Neville called the ban “disappointing” and hasn’t set foot in the stadium since.
Roy Keane Pins Blame on Players, Not Owner
Ex-Red Devils legend Roy Keane thinks the players, not Marinakis, are behind Postecoglou’s demise. “What chance has he got when the players don’t want to score?” Keane said.
Keane also pointed out Marinakis’ swift style; O’Neill’s replacement came just 18 minutes after his sacking in 2019. Postecoglou’s 19-minute exit fits the ruthless pattern.
“Leopards don’t change their spots. That’s how they work — power and control,” Keane concluded bluntly.
Forest’s Nightmare Season Sees Dyche Drafted In
Postecoglou leaves Forest winless in eight games (six defeats, two draws), barely settling in with just 20 training sessions and 8 full squad run-outs.
Owner Marinakis left the stadium early against Chelsea, apparently signalling the impending axe. Furious Postecoglou vented in the dressing room before being told he was out.
Sean Dyche is the club’s third boss this season, signing on until 2027. The former Burnley and Everton manager, who lives near Nottingham, now faces the monumental task of steadying a chaotic camp.
Fans remain stunned after Nuno Espírito Santo’s shock firing just three matches into the season, despite leading Forest to a 7th-place finish last term — their best in three decades.
Relations between Forest and Sky Sports remain icy amid the ongoing dispute. Neville’s stadium ban is still in place. The Premier League reportedly frowns on Forest’s treatment of their key broadcast partner, though no formal breach has been flagged.
