Nottingham Forest has made the decision to part ways with head coach Ange Postecoglou after just 39 days in charge. His dismissal came following a disappointing 3-0 defeat against Chelsea at the City Ground, which left the team winless under his leadership across eight matches.
Short Tenure in Premier League History
Postecoglou’s brief spell is noted as the second shortest managerial reign in Premier League history, surpassed only by Sam Allardyce’s 30-day term at Leeds United in 2023. The Australian experienced a challenging start, managing only one point from five Premier League games, placing Nottingham Forest at 17th in the league, just one point above relegation.
Performance Overview
During his time at Forest, Postecoglou lost six matches and drew two, marking the worst start for any permanent Nottingham Forest manager in a century. His tenure included the team’s elimination from the Carabao Cup against Championship side Swansea City.
European Campaign
Postecoglou was in charge during Nottingham Forest’s return to European competition after 30 years. The team drew 2-2 against Real Betis but suffered a 3-2 loss to Midtjylland in their initial Europa League matches.
Response and Future Action
In a statement, Nottingham Forest confirmed the change, citing a series of unsatisfactory results and performances. The club has stated that no further comments will be made at this time. Owner Evangelos Marinakis had previously described Postecoglou as a “fantastic person” aligned with the club’s ambitions.
Background of Ange Postecoglou
- Age: 60 years
- Experience: Over three decades in managerial roles
- Previous Clubs: Tottenham Hotspur, Celtic, Yokohama F. Marinos
- Achievements: Won the Europa League with Tottenham in May 2024
- International: Managed Australia’s national team from 2013 to 2017
Postecoglou had arrived at Nottingham Forest after leaving Spurs following a tumultuous season, where he led them to a 17th place finish amidst concerns over performance. His commanding style and direct approach did not resonate with the team structure immediately, amplifying difficulties in adapting to his strategies.
Next Steps for Nottingham Forest
Following the coaching change, Nottingham Forest is preparing for their upcoming match against Porto in the Europa League. This will be a crucial moment for the club as they seek to stabilize their season after a tumultuous start.
