Nick Montgomery: Tottenham triumph & career in coaching

Sep 10, 2025

Nick Montgomery, the Assistant Coach at Nottingham Forest and former player, shares his journey in football. He reflects on his success at Tottenham, where he helped secure the Europa League title after a long drought. Montgomery discusses the emotional highs and lows of coaching, emphasizing the importance of player well-being and development. He also addresses the significance of management evolution, the balance between principles and tactics, and the necessity of building belief and communication within a team.

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ANECDOTE

Bittersweet Exit And Reflection

Nick described leaving Tottenham after the Europa League win as bittersweet and a rare period out of work since age 16.
He used the break to reflect, spend time with family, and prepare for the next coaching opportunity.

INSIGHT

Availability Matches Tactics' Importance

Montgomery emphasised that availability of best players matters as much as tactics for season success.
He explained Tottenham sacrificed league form at times to keep players fit for late Europa League stages.

ADVICE

Plan For Congestion, Don’t Blame One Cause

Avoid assuming injuries are due to a single cause; modern schedules and international absences amplify risk.
Plan squad depth and recovery around congested calendars to reduce unlucky injury runs.

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Our guest on Episode #71 of the TGG Podcast is Nick Montgomery, Ange Postecoglou's Assistant at Nottingham Forest.

The duo worked together at Tottenham last season, helping the North London side win their first piece of silverware in 17 years, when they claimed the Europa League.

Montgomery has worked in football for almost three decades, as a player, coach and manager, and in England, Scotland and Australia.

This episode was recorded a day before Montgomery joined Forest, but he talked about what it’s like to work with Postecoglou, about their struggles and triumphs last season and why some of the narratives about the Australian are incorrect.

SHOW NOTES =>

01:50: What he's been doing since Spurs sacking

04:44: Winning the Europa League

06:26: Why so many injuries?

09:30: Injuries gave young players an opportunity. What is was like to work with Archie Gray & Lucas Bergval. Why it's a younger game now.

14:54: Set pieces - Tottenham didn't neglect them. We're much better at them than people gave them credit for. Whether you need a dedicated Set Piece Coach or not.

24:41: Narrative about Postecoglou's style of play. Why you need a big squad to rotate. Difference between principles, philosophies and tactics.

30:16: Career as a player. Working with Neil Warnock. How he treated everyone differently. Game was more aggressive and macho when he was playing. Doesn't know why apprentices cleaning the pros' boots has gone out of the game. Dangers of social media. Example of Brennan Johnson coming off Instagram.

39:24: Moving to Australia as a player with Central Coast Mariners. Player to Academy Manager to Head Coach. Winning first league title for the club.

41:37: How he got to know Postecoglou.

43:27: Merits of taking your own staff to a club v having a new staff, as Postecoglou has.

45:08: Joining Hibernian as Manager. Why tenure only lasted one season.

49:13: Can Postecoglou achieve big things as a Manager in future?

51:47: When Postecoglou said he always wins things in his second season. How was that for the players and staff?

55:14: Ambitions for rest of his career.