Forest sack Postecoglou after 39 days in charge

Ange Postecoglou’s reign at Nottingham Forest has come to a sudden and dramatic end — just 39 days after he took over at the City Ground. The Australian coach, renowned for his attacking philosophy and man-management prowess, was dismissed on Saturday morning following a poor run of results, mounting internal frustration, and what sources describe as “irreconcilable differences” with the club’s hierarchy.

The decision comes after Forest’s dismal 3–0 home defeat to Crystal Palace, a result that left the club languishing near the bottom of the Premier League table. For a club that entered the season with ambitions of solid mid-table security, the swift collapse under Postecoglou has stunned supporters and pundits alike.

A Brief but Tumultuous Spell

When Forest appointed Postecoglou in early September, optimism spread across the fanbase. Known for revitalizing teams with his bold, attacking football, the Australian arrived with a strong résumé — fresh from his success at Tottenham and a trophy-laden spell at Celtic. The Forest board hoped his “fearless football” could transform the team into one capable of competing, not just surviving.

Instead, the results were chaotic. Forest managed only one win in seven matches under Postecoglou, conceding 16 goals in that span. While his teams are often slow starters, insiders suggest the board grew increasingly impatient as defensive lapses persisted and player morale dipped.

One club source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said:

“There was a clash between Ange’s vision and the club’s current reality. He wanted time and control — the board wanted results.”

Postecoglou’s insistence on maintaining a high defensive line and intricate passing play left the squad — built largely for counter-attacking football — exposed and uncomfortable. Reports suggest several senior players voiced concerns privately about the tactical demands being placed on them.

The Breaking Point

The breaking point reportedly came in the aftermath of the Crystal Palace defeat. Forest’s chairman, Evangelos Marinakis, held crisis talks with Postecoglou and senior club officials late Friday evening. The meeting was described as “tense,” with both sides frustrated over the direction of the team.

By early Saturday morning, the club released a terse statement confirming his departure:

“Nottingham Forest can confirm that Ange Postecoglou has left his position as head coach with immediate effect. The club wishes to thank Ange and his staff for their efforts and wish them the best in their future endeavors.”

While brief, the statement reflected a growing pattern within the club’s recent history — one of instability and short-termism. Postecoglou becomes the sixth managerial change under Marinakis’s ownership since 2017.

Fan Reaction: Frustration and Fatigue

For supporters, the decision has sparked both outrage and resignation. Many felt Postecoglou wasn’t given a fair opportunity to implement his ideas, while others believe the experiment was doomed from the start.

On social media, Forest fans voiced a mix of disbelief and exhaustion.

“Thirty-nine days. That’s not a project — that’s panic,” wrote one supporter on X (formerly Twitter).
Another added, “We finally got a manager who wanted to build something — and we pulled the rug out before he even unpacked.”

The Forest supporters’ trust released a statement urging the club to focus on long-term stability rather than reactionary decisions. “We need a plan, not another headline,” it read.

Postecoglou’s Response

Though Postecoglou has yet to make a formal statement, those close to him suggest he is “deeply disappointed” but not surprised. A source near his camp noted that he had grown frustrated with what he saw as “interference” in team selection and recruitment decisions.

During his short time at Forest, Postecoglou reportedly clashed with sporting director Ross Wilson over transfer priorities. The Australian wanted additional reinforcements in midfield and at full-back, while the club focused on attacking signings. The lack of defensive stability became a defining issue during his tenure.

Still, true to form, Postecoglou maintained professionalism to the end. In what would turn out to be his final post-match interview, he refused to criticize players or the board directly, instead saying:

“We’re trying to build something here. It’s not easy, but I believe in the process. Sometimes the journey takes time.”

Those words now feel like a farewell he didn’t know he was giving.

Forest’s Next Steps

In the wake of Postecoglou’s sacking, Forest announced that assistant coach Steven Reid will take temporary charge while the search for a new manager begins. Early reports suggest former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi and ex-Leeds coach Jesse Marsch are among the potential candidates being considered.

Whoever steps into the role will face an uphill task — both on the pitch and within the club’s internal structure. Forest’s squad remains unbalanced after multiple transfer windows of rapid turnover, and confidence among players is reportedly low.

More broadly, the decision reignites the ongoing debate about managerial patience in the Premier League. Postecoglou’s dismissal after barely five weeks underscores how unforgiving the modern game has become, especially for managers attempting to introduce long-term philosophies.

A Familiar Tale in Modern Football

In truth, Postecoglou’s firing reflects a broader trend — one where Premier League clubs often prioritize instant results over sustainable development. In recent seasons, managers like Graham Potter, Julen Lopetegui, and Nuno Espírito Santo have all faced similarly short-lived tenures, casualties of a results-driven culture that leaves little room for growing pains.

Football pundit Gary Lineker summed it up bluntly on BBC Sport:

“Ange Postecoglou needed a season, not a month. Forest have acted like a club chasing headlines, not progress.”

Still, while his time at the City Ground may have been brief, Postecoglou’s reputation remains largely intact. His track record of building successful teams — from Brisbane Roar to Celtic — suggests he won’t be unemployed for long.

A Short Stay, A Long Shadow

The Postecoglou experiment may have lasted just over a month, but it leaves Nottingham Forest with lingering questions about their direction. Can the club find stability amid constant change? Or will the revolving door continue to spin?

For now, fans are left to watch another chapter close — abruptly, perhaps predictably, but not without disappointment.

“Forest hired a visionary and gave him 39 days,” one fan wrote online. “No magic lasts that short.”

‍