The Australian has been touted as an early frontrunner for the post after previous success at Celtic Park
18:21, 08 Feb 2026Updated 19:52, 08 Feb 2026
Ange Postecoglou during his time as Nottingham Forest manager(Image: Gareth Copley, Getty Images)
Former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has paused any talks of a return to football after a disastorous stint at Nottingham Forest.
That is according to Steven Caulker, who lifted the lid on unseen talks that dropped a major hint over the Australian’s future. Postecoglou is among the favourites to replaced Martin O’Neill when his contract comes to an end in the summer.
The 60-year-old was brutally axed by Forest after just eight games in the hot-seat with the club in the midst of a Premier League relegation scrap. However, the club’s fortunes have not improved under his successor Sean Dyche.
Postecoglou boasts a proven himself in European football following his move to Celtic back in 2021. He left the club for Tottenham after two successful campaigns – including a Treble in his final campaign as boss.
After a fifth-place finish in his debut Premier League campaign, he lifted the Europa League last term to end Spurs’ silverware drought. But he would be shown the door last summer after a lacklustre domestic performance.
His ill-fated tenure at the City Ground would leave Postecoglou with a record of two sackings in just three months. But former Hibs boss Nick Montgormery – who assisted the gaffer at Spurs and Forest – has lifted the lid on Postecoglou’s current plans for the future.
Montgomery has a job with Chinese side BJ Guoan – and spoke to Caulker last week. He told talkSPORT: “I think he [Postecoglou] is just taking a break right now.
“They went into Forest and there was the expectation as they walked into a club that was playing European football, and they were going to have time.
“But without being given that time, it didn’t work out. It hasn’t worked out for Nottingham Forest either because they are still struggling down the bottom of the league under Dyche.
“I think he’s taking a breather and seeing what is next. Nick Montgomery has taken a job over here in Asia.
“But on that, it is good to see British coaches going abroad. It is good to see them making a name for themselves.”
Parkhead icon O’Neill has stated publicly that he doesn’t want the Celtic job beyond the end of the current campaign – and a Hoops’ legend Frank McAvennie has made a surprise pitch for Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou to succeed the 73-year-old.
Speaking on his Let Me Be Frank Podcast, he said: “Who I would love, right at this moment? The Motherwell manager
“The way they are playing football. Could you imagine what he could do with a club like Celtic? I mean, that could take us on to the next level.
“Martin is doing a brilliant job, but it’s one of them. It is what it is. At the moment, Martin is just being Martin, and he is surviving.”