Nottingham Forest have parted ways with manager Ange Postecoglou after a mere 39-day tenure, setting an unenviable record as the shortest permanent managerial stint in Premier League history. The decision came just 17 minutes after Forest's 3-0 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday, capping a turbulent period for the Australian coach.
A Rapid Downward Spiral
Postecoglou, who replaced Nuno Espirito Santo on 9 September, failed to win any of his eight matches in charge. The 60-year-old's ambitious tactical shift from Nuno's counter-attacking style to a high-pressing system proved too radical for players accustomed to different methods.
"When we clicked, we'd be unstoppable," midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White told reporters, though the transition never fully materialized.
Fractured Relationships and Fan Fury
The situation deteriorated rapidly as supporters turned on the manager during September's 3-1 Europa League defeat to Midtjylland. Chants of "you're getting sacked in the morning" echoed through City Ground, with owner Evangelos Marinakis reportedly stunned by the speed of the backlash.
Postecoglou's brief tenure ended with Forest in disarray
Underlying Club Issues
- Injury crises affecting key defenders Murillo and Ola Aina
- Striker Chris Wood's scoring drought continuing from last season
- Front office tensions dating back to summer transfer disagreements
Forest now face searching for their third manager this season, with the club sitting dangerously close to the relegation zone. The dismissal highlights deeper structural issues at the City Ground, where Postecoglou became the latest casualty in Marinakis' demanding regime.
As Forest regroup, questions remain about whether any manager can thrive under current conditions at a club that's cycled through five permanent managers since 2022.
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