Mounting Pressure on Ange Postecoglou After Poor Start at the City Ground
Ange Postecoglou’s tenure at Nottingham Forest may be cut short just weeks after his appointment, with reports suggesting that the club is leaning toward a managerial change following another dismal result. The Australian coach, brought in to rejuvenate Forest’s campaign, has yet to find his footing—and patience appears to be wearing thin among the club’s hierarchy.
A Disastrous Start Following Nuno’s Departure
Nottingham Forest made a bold move during the September international break, parting ways with Nuno Espirito Santo after collecting four points from their opening three Premier League games. Postecoglou, fresh off a Europa League triumph with Tottenham but no longer in charge of Spurs, was seen as a high-profile appointment to steer Forest in a new direction.
However, his early spell in charge has yielded just one additional Premier League point from four matches. Compounding the pressure, Forest were dumped out of the League Cup by Championship side Swansea City and have failed to impress in European competition, managing only one point from two Europa League outings.
Postecoglou Remains Defiant Despite Mounting Doubts
Following a 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle United over the weekend, Postecoglou faced the media with a determined—if defensive—demeanor. The Australian admitted he expects serious conversations with the club’s owner and senior figures about the current trajectory.
“If people want to make an assessment on me after three and a half weeks, there is nothing I can do about that,” Postecoglou stated. “I love a fight… I knew this would be a massive challenge.”
Despite the tough start, Postecoglou insisted he remains confident in his long-term vision, reiterating his commitment to transforming the club’s playing style and competitive mindset.
Ownership Concerns Could Prompt Immediate Action
Nevertheless, behind the scenes, tensions are rising. Former Manchester United scout and Premier League insider Mick Brown told Football Insider that Forest are “more likely than not” to sack Postecoglou during the upcoming international break.
“The owner has never been afraid to make bold decisions,” Brown said. “Right now, it clearly isn’t working… and with a couple of weeks during the break, that’s the window to make a change.”
Brown also pointed out that Postecoglou’s attempt to overhaul Forest’s style—from a defensively sound, counter-attacking system to a more possession-based approach—has not paid off. A similar philosophy failed to deliver consistent results at Tottenham, and now it’s under scrutiny at Forest too.
Club at a Crossroads After Strong Previous Season
Forest had set a high bar last season, and while replicating that success was always going to be a challenge, the sudden shift in tactics and poor form have raised alarm bells. With the international break offering a natural pause in the season, speculation is rife that club ownership may use the time to seek a new direction—yet again.
Postecoglou’s fate may well hinge on upcoming discussions with ownership, but given the recent managerial turnover and poor on-field results, his future at the City Ground appears increasingly uncertain.