{"id":241053,"date":"2026-04-30T02:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T02:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/30\/how-pl-chaos-club-reached-brink-of-euro-shock-and-23m-landmine-that-could-spoil-fairytale\/"},"modified":"2026-04-30T02:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T02:00:00","slug":"how-pl-chaos-club-reached-brink-of-euro-shock-and-23m-landmine-that-could-spoil-fairytale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/30\/how-pl-chaos-club-reached-brink-of-euro-shock-and-23m-landmine-that-could-spoil-fairytale\/","title":{"rendered":"How PL chaos club reached brink of Euro shock… and $23m landmine that could spoil fairytale"},"content":{"rendered":"

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This was the moment Nottingham Forest hired Ange Postecoglou for. <\/p>\n

Even though things went pear-shaped with the Australian manager sacked in only 39 days, the former giants are back where they want to be.<\/p>\n

\ufeffGet all the latest football news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

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Forest host Premier League rivals Aston Villa on Friday morning Australian time in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final. <\/p>\n

It is the first time the Tricky Trees have reached the final four of a European competition since 1984. <\/p>\n

Under legendary manager Brian Clough, the City Ground used to rock under lights. <\/p>\n

Forest famously won back-to-back European Cups crowns in 1979 and 1980 \u2013 the precursor competition to the UEFA Champions League. <\/p>\n

But their most recent memory of a European semi-final has left a bad taste in the mouths for Forest fans for 42 years. <\/p>\n

Forest\u2019s hopes of a third European title in the space of five years ended in controversial fashion. <\/p>\n

The English side led 2-0 after the first leg of their UEFA Cup semi-final against Anderlecht. <\/p>\n

The tie turned on its head in the second leg in Belgium, however. <\/p>\n

Anderlecht were awarded a dubious penalty, while Forest had a goal disallowed among several other questionable decisions as the hosts won 3-0 to progress to the final. <\/p>\n

In 1997, Forest\u2019s suspicions were confirmed. <\/p>\n

The Belgian club\u2019s chairman had bribed the referee \u00a327,000 to fix the match. <\/p>\n

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There will almost certainly be no such dodgy dealings this time around. <\/p>\n

But chaos seems to follow Forest in the modern day too. <\/p>\n

They have had four managers this season. <\/p>\n

Volatile owner Evangelos Marinakis sacked Nuno Espirito Santo three games after guiding the club to its most successful season in the top flight in three decades. <\/p>\n

The relationship soured in the closing stages of last season as Forest picked up five points in the last five games to miss out on a Champions League place by one point, and the issues did not go away during the English summer.<\/p>\n

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Nuno Espirito Santo (R) speaks with Nottingham Forest’s Greek co-owner Evangelos Marinakis (L) after a 2-2 draw with Leicester City in 2025.<\/span>Source: AFP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Postecoglou was then brought in for the European campaign. <\/p>\n

After winning the Europa League with Tottenham last season, Marinakis hoped the former Celtic and Socceroos boss could bring exciting football to the City Ground and continental success. <\/p>\n

A tumultuous, winless seven game stint left Postecoglou later admitting that taking the Forest job was a mistake. <\/p>\n

Sean Dyche was brought in as the hard-nosed Englishman was seen as the antithesis of Ange.<\/p>\n

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Australian manager Ange Postecoglou reacts during the English Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Chelsea in 2025.<\/span>Source: AFP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

That lasted less than four months as the former Watford, Burnley and Everton manager was dismissed following a 0-0 draw with last-placed Wolves that left them just three points above the relegation zone. <\/p>\n

There has been light at the end of the tunnel for Forest, however. <\/p>\n

Former Wolves boss Vitor Pereira has been a breath of fresh air. <\/p>\n

The Portuguese manager has overseen an eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions.<\/p>\n

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Igor Jesus of Nottingham Forest celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal with teammates Elliot Anderson and Chris Wood during the Premier League match against Sunderland.<\/span>Source: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Since Pereira took charge in February, Forest has scored the most goals in the Premier League, alongside Liverpool. <\/p>\n

They put five past Sunderland on the weekend and scored four against Burnley in their previous outing. <\/p>\n

Those thumping victories have almost certainly assured the prospect of playing Championship and Champions League football next season has been avoided. <\/p>\n

Forest are five points, and goal difference, clear of Tottenham in 18th with four games remaining. <\/p>\n

But while they breathe a sigh of relief, it is the European nights that have been most special.<\/p>\n

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Fans of Nottingham Forest celebrates victory following the UEFA Europa League 2025\/26 Quarter-Final.<\/span>Source: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In a playoff to reach the Europa League\u2019s Round of 16, Forest defeated Fenerbahce 3-0 in Istanbul. <\/p>\n

They then sealed progression at home with a 2-1 loss where the Turkish side scored the first two goals to create a nervy atmosphere. <\/p>\n

The Round of 16 tie against FC Midtjylland was no less dramatic. <\/p>\n

The Danish side claimed the first leg 1-0 to defeat Forest at the City Ground for a second time this season. <\/p>\n

Midtjylland\u2019s 3-2 win in the group stage sparked massive fan backlash against Postecoglou back in October. <\/p>\n

But in March, they turned the tables with a 2-1 win in the second leg, sending them to penalties where Forest prevailed 3-0. <\/p>\n

The most truly special night for Forest fans, however, was the second leg of the quarter-final against Porto.<\/p>\n

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Fans of Nottingham Forest celebrates victory following the UEFA Europa League 2025\/26 Quarter-Final.<\/span>Source: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After drawing 1-1 in Portugal, Forest held firm at home to win 1-0, sparking jubilant scenes as they booked their place in the final four. <\/p>\n

\u201cI have a fantastic team. It is not about the manager. It is about the team because they have the true spirit and the character. They deserve it, as do the supporters,\u201d Pereira said after the quarter-final victory. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe faces on the other bench are faces that I recognise. It is normal they have fire at the end. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to suffer together, and we need to feel proud of ourselves and the supporters.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Vitor Pereira, Manager of Nottingham Forest, applauds the fans.<\/span>Source: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But as it seems to be the way with Forest, there may be more carnage to come \u2013 even if they win the silverware they so desire. <\/p>\n

For a second straight year Marinakis has put his shares in the club in a blind trust to work around UEFA\u2019s multi-ownership rules. <\/p>\n

The Greek businessman also owns Olympiacos in his home country and the two could end up in the Champions League next season if Forest win the Europa League. <\/p>\n

UEFA\u2019s rules dictate that two clubs with same ownership cannot compete in the same competition. <\/p>\n

That is why Forest are in the Europa League this season in the first place. <\/p>\n

Crystal Palace were set to compete in the secondary European competition courtesy of their historic FA Cup triumph. <\/p>\n

But the Eagles were demoted to the Europea Conference League due to former majority owner and chairman Jon Textor holding a 77 per cent stake in French side Lyon. <\/p>\n

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Evangelos Marinakis looks on during the UEFA Europa League 2025\/26 League Phase match between Nottingham Forest FC and FC Midtjylland.<\/span>Source: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After finishing seventh in the Premier League and earning a Conference League spot, Forest swapped places with Palace. <\/p>\n

The south London club missed the deadline of March 1 to make the move into a trust. <\/p>\n

Former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson told Football Insider that he believes Marinakis has made the same blunder. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe first thing to say is there\u2019s no question that the blind trust commenced on 17 April and not before,\u201d said Borson. <\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no question that the UEFA correspondence says that everything needed to be done by 1 March. There\u2019s no question that last season everything was a strict 1 March deadline.\u201d<\/p>\n

Missing out on the Champions League if they win the Europa League would be heart breaking for Forest. <\/p>\n

It would also be a significant blow to their finances. <\/p>\n

Champions League teams receive a guaranteed \u20ac18.6m (A$30.3m) compared to \u20ac4.3m (A$7m) for Europa League teams. <\/p>\n

UEFA distributes 74 per cent of their revenue to the premier European competition, with the secondary competition receiving just 17 per cent. <\/p>\n

The contrast is stark and it could also have a huge impact on their ability to acquire or retain players. <\/p>\n

Star midfielder Elliot Anderson, whose teammates held up his shirt in an emotional gesture during the second leg against Porto as he missed the tie due to the death of his mother, has already been linked with a move to Manchester City.<\/p>\n

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Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest applauds the fans.<\/span>Source: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Manchester United are reportedly also interested, while the two Manchester clubs are eyeing off attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White too. <\/p>\n

The 26-year-old has bagged ten goals in the Premier League this calendar year \u2013 no one has scored more in that time. <\/p>\n

There is a lot to play out before any moves take place in the summer transfer window.<\/p>\n

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Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest celebrates victory following the UEFA Europa League 2025\/26 Quarter-Final.<\/span>Source: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Forest have a tough opponent in front of them in Villa. <\/p>\n

The Birmingham-based club are fifth on the Premier League table and are all but assured a Champions League place next season with an eight-point gap from sixth placed Brighton. <\/p>\n

Like Forest, the Villans are similarly starved of success. <\/p>\n

They have not lifted silverware since winning the League in 1996. <\/p>\n

While they last tasted continental success in the 1982 European Cup. <\/p>\n

Either way there will be a chance for an English club starved of success to end their drought against either Portuguese side Braga or German outfit SC Freiburg in Istanbul on May 21. <\/p>\n

But with Forest\u2019s history, there will almost certainly be something wild happen on the road to that final.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This was the moment Nottingham Forest hired Ange Postecoglou for. Even though things went pear-shaped with the Australian manager sacked in only 39 days, the former giants are back where they want to be. \ufeffGet all the latest football news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!! […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":241054,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6807],"tags":[4153,1641,2230,8313,54982,16780,3271,72400,56058,1192,72403,4772,72405,49790,3900,8146,4399,1429,34653,5512,72395,12893,17209,72396,5289,71967,149,72356,72399,12004,49030,2227,52848,22706,60220,2011,72402,55658,4996,3272,11406,2232,72401,53208,1427,40726,11397,493,48132,20494,72404,59642,854,26787,2242,1304,72406,58869,72397,2457,56180,5983,72398,2023,1856,54567,1847,3150],"class_list":{"0":"post-241053","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-leagues-cups","8":"tag-ange-postecoglou","9":"tag-asia","10":"tag-aston-villa-football-club","11":"tag-australian-manager","12":"tag-back-to-back-european","13":"tag-belgian-club","14":"tag-belgium","15":"tag-blind-trust","16":"tag-brian-clough","17":"tag-champions-league","18":"tag-chaos-club","19":"tag-chris-wood","20":"tag-continental-success","21":"tag-elliot-anderson","22":"tag-english-side","23":"tag-english-summer","24":"tag-europa-league","25":"tag-europe","26":"tag-european-campaign","27":"tag-european-competition","28":"tag-european-competition-courtesy","29":"tag-european-nights","30":"tag-european-semi-final","31":"tag-european-titles","32":"tag-evangelos-marinakis","33":"tag-fantastic-team","34":"tag-football-news","35":"tag-football-scenario","36":"tag-forest-host","37":"tag-french-side","38":"tag-german-outfit","39":"tag-goal-difference","40":"tag-greek-businessman","41":"tag-home-country","42":"tag-igor-jesus","43":"tag-istanbul","44":"tag-jon-textor","45":"tag-league-phase-match","46":"tag-leicester-city-football-club","47":"tag-london","48":"tag-majority-owner","49":"tag-manchester-united-football-club","50":"tag-massive-fan-backlash","51":"tag-morning-australian-time","52":"tag-northern-europe","53":"tag-nottingham-forest-football-club","54":"tag-nuno-espirito-santo","55":"tag-portugal","56":"tag-portuguese-manager","57":"tag-portuguese-side","58":"tag-precursor-competition","59":"tag-premier-european-competition","60":"tag-premier-league","61":"tag-quarter-final-victory","62":"tag-relegation-zone","63":"tag-sean-dyche","64":"tag-secondary-competition","65":"tag-secondary-european-competition","66":"tag-semi-final-preview","67":"tag-southern-europe","68":"tag-stefan-borson","69":"tag-summer-transfer-window","70":"tag-tasted-continental-success","71":"tag-turkey","72":"tag-united-kingdom","73":"tag-vitor-pereira","74":"tag-western-asia","75":"tag-western-europe"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/241053","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=241053"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/241053\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/241054"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=241053"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=241053"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=241053"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}