Ange Postecoglou’s turbulent start at Nottingham Forest has taken a dramatic turn, with reports surfacing of an emergency meeting to discuss his future just seven games into his tenure. Amid growing speculation, football legend Wayne Rooney has slammed the rumors as “absolutely crazy,” calling out ownership decisions as the root of Forest’s ongoing crisis.
Forest in Crisis Mode After Dismal Start
Nottingham Forest are reportedly on the brink of another managerial shake-up, despite recently appointing Ange Postecoglou to replace Nuno Espirito Santo. The decision to part ways with Nuno—who had led Forest to European qualification last season—was divisive among fans, especially considering his fallout with club owner Evangelos Marinakis rather than results on the pitch.
Postecoglou, known for his attacking philosophy, was brought in to usher in a new style of football. However, the transition has been far from smooth. The club has failed to register a single win under his leadership, with seven winless outings across all competitions, culminating in a lackluster 2-0 defeat to Newcastle over the weekend.
Emergency Meeting Sparks Exit Talk
Following Sunday’s loss, a well-sourced account on X (formerly Twitter), backed by a “team of five elite reporters,” claimed that Forest officials called an urgent meeting to evaluate Postecoglou’s position. The Australian now finds himself the bookmakers’ favorite to be the next Premier League manager shown the door.
Postecoglou didn’t shy away from the speculation in his post-match comments, acknowledging that discussions about his future are expected. “If people want to make an assessment of me after three and a half weeks, then there’s nothing I can do about that,” he said. “I love this position—fighting is what I’ve done my whole career.”
Rooney Backs Postecoglou, Blasts Ownership Decisions
Former England striker and football pundit Wayne Rooney has come out in defense of Postecoglou, criticizing the idea of sacking him so early into the project.
“It’s absolutely crazy,” Rooney said. “He’s had six or seven games—how can you judge a manager on that? Ange is a good coach. He struggled at Tottenham but went on to win the Europa League. The problem isn’t him—it’s the decisions coming from above.”
Rooney also took aim at the Forest hierarchy, suggesting that more scrutiny should fall on the ownership. “No one is talking about the people making these decisions. If you hire a manager, you have to give him time to implement his ideas.”
Postecoglou Stands Firm Amid Pressure
Despite the mounting pressure and speculation about his job security, Postecoglou remains defiant. In a passionate defense of his career and philosophy, he emphasized his resilience and love for the challenge.
“I didn’t get here through connections—I fought for everything,” he stated. “It’s part of the game. One week it’s me, next week it’s someone else. I don’t mind being in the spotlight.”
Postecoglou also expressed his readiness to discuss the project’s direction with Marinakis, indicating he’s not afraid of hard conversations, but won’t shy away from the responsibility that comes with managing in the Premier League.
What’s Next for Forest and Postecoglou?
With the international break looming, Nottingham Forest’s board has a small window to decide whether to double down on their gamble with Postecoglou or hit the reset button once again. For now, the Australian tactician continues to hold his ground, but the clock may be ticking.
