Former Man United defender and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has reignited his epic feud with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis after the dramatic sack of boss Ange Postecoglou just 19 minutes following a 3-0 thrashing by Chelsea on Saturday.
Postecoglou’s Lightning-Fast Exit Sparks Fury
Postecoglou’s reign lasted a paltry 39 days — the second-shortest stint in Premier League history. Neville blasted the timing and manner of the axe on The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast, calling it a total lack of dignity.
“You didn’t have to be a d*** about it,” co-host Jill Scott said bluntly. Neville agreed, saying the Greek shipping tycoon’s ruthless firing showed “a fundamental lack of professionalism.”
Neville, drawing on his manager-handling experience at Salford City, said the sacking lacked basic respect for Postecoglou’s dignity and emotional wellbeing.
“When you get sacked as a manager, you feel paranoid, like you’ve let everyone down,” Neville explained. “They should have waited at least five hours to make it public, so Ange could speak to his players and staff properly.”
Feud With Forest Owner Spirals
This blow-up reopens a bitter grudge match dating back to April 2024 when Neville branded Forest’s conduct “like a mafia gang” over their treatment of ex-boss Nuno Espírito Santo. That came after Forest unconstitutionally questioned VAR official Stuart Attwell’s integrity.
Neville slammed Forest’s statements as “embarrassing” and “petulant.” Marinakis retaliated with lawyers contacting Sky Sports, leading to a formal apology from the broadcaster and a £750,000 fine for Forest for attacking a match official.
Despite the apology, things have stayed icy. Forest banned Neville from the City Ground last season when he was due to co-commentate a final-day game. Neville called the ban “disappointing” and hasn’t set foot in the stadium since.
Roy Keane Puts Blame on Forest’s Players
Former United legend Roy Keane thinks players are to blame for Postecoglou’s sacking, not the owner. “What chance has he got when the players don’t want to score?” Keane said.
Keane reminded listeners how Marinakis operates fast — O’Neill’s successor was named just 18 minutes after his 2019 axe. Postecoglou’s 19-minute turnaround fits the pattern.
“Leopards don’t change their spots. That’s how they work — power and control,” Keane said bluntly.
Forest’s Chaos Continues With New Manager
Postecoglou leaves Forest winless in eight games (six defeats, two draws) despite an attacking style. The Aussie had barely settled in, managing only 20 training sessions and 8 full squads before the chop.
Forest’s owner Marinakis left the stadium early against Chelsea, signalling the boss’s imminent firing. Postecoglou vented frustration in the dressing room before being told he was out.
Sean Dyche has been named Forest’s third manager this season, signing until 2027. The former Burnley and Everton boss lives near Nottingham and faces a tough job stabilising the club.
Fans are stunned after Nuno Espírito Santo’s shock firing just three matches into the season, despite guiding Forest to a 7th-place finish last term—their best in 30 years.
Relations between Forest and Sky Sports remain tense, with Neville’s stadium ban still in place amid underlying disputes. The Premier League is reportedly unimpressed by Forest’s treatment of their main broadcast partner, though no rules have been broken.
