UK papers already 'taking the piss' out of Postecoglou as astonishing Melbourne Heart rejection revealed

Mark Bosnich says Ange Postecoglou's broad shoulders will be able to handle the latest round of criticism from England's unforgiving press, but admits his "prickly" style makes him an easy target.

Postecoglou's tenure at Nottingham Forest got off to a losing start with Arsenal's slick squad simply too classy in a 3-0 Premier League victory at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

One newspaper immediately picked out a memorable quote from the Australian manager in its post-match coverage.

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"I've seen the commentary, front page of The Observer on Sunday morning, 'It's who we are, mate.' Like taking the piss out of him, basically," Stan Sport football host Adam Peacock said on the debut edition of Added Time.

"I don't know if being out of London or Manchester helps him, but there's going to be a fair amount of fire thrown his way."

Bosnich, no stranger to the British tabloids, believed it would be water off a duck's back for Postecoglou ahead of Thursday's (AEST) third round EFL Cup away clash with Swansea.

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The former Premier League goalkeeper shared a Postecoglou story from 15 years ago that he believes helps explain his steely resolve.

"Of course he can cope with it," Bosnich said.

"He told me then that he'd been rejected - listen to this - from Melbourne Heart... for the assistant's job. So when that happens to somebody in one's life, and you get rejected, and you feel that low - no disrespect to Melbourne Heart - but I think you develop that type of, either resilience, that nothing's going to bother you going forward, or you basically just fade away.

"He's definitely not faded away. He's used to it in terms of the pressure that he received at Spurs."

Postecoglou's relentless pursuit of attacking, attractive - as well as winning - football will again be a regular talking point in England.

"They (journalists) were trying to bait him in that opening press conference, with what style are you going to play? Almost like, OK, what are you going to say and then we'll ping you with that," Peacock observed.

Bosnich countered by noting that most Australian football fans and media were naturally pro-Postecoglou and some were "very, very touchy" whenever the 60-year-old's methods were questioned.

"I don't think they (The Observer) were making fun of him," he said.

"He has his way. Sometimes it's a bit prickly, sometimes people like it, sometimes people don't. But the fact is that they're giving that scrutiny is far better than if they're completely ignoring him."

Former Socceroos captain Craig Foster also felt that Postecoglou's time in the spotlight at Spurs meant Forest would not be a daunting assignment from a media perspective.

But the football side of things was unique after replacing Nuno Espirito Santo at the helm of a solid and successful squad.

"Usually most of them have to come in and fill a role when someone has bombed, right? This time is a little bit different, in two ways," Foster said.

"Firstly, he doesn't have time. Secondly, he doesn't have a broken squad. He has a squad where the other guy was actually doing very well."

Postecoglou was full of good humour on Wednesday (AEST) as he fronted the press in Wales.

He was asked about his fledgling relationship with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.

"I was contemplating switching my phone off after the loss, but he has been good, he's reached out," Postecoglou said.

"Everyone's been really supportive, including him. He knows the challenge that's before us but he's very ambitious."

Athens-born Postecoglou was asked whether his shared Greek heritage with Marinakis helped their bond.

"Maybe it does, but ultimately the relationships are always the same. He supported both the previous managers very, very well… and that's all you can ask for as a manager, that you get supported.

"I know I will be and hopefully I can repay that."

Postecoglou won the Europa League with Tottenham in May before being sacked in June.

He will try to win the same trophy again with Forest, and their European campaign starts on September 25 (AEST) against Real Betis.

It's a tricky juggling act but Postecoglou was adamant he'd take the EFL Cup, in which his side visits Swansea on Thursday morning (AEST), seriously as well.

"Every opportunity you have to win a trophy you shouldn't let go because it's hard to win things in football," he said.