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Is writing already on the wall for Postecoglou at Forest?

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Sami Mokbel

Senior football correspondent
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The potential consequences of defeat this weekend will not be lost on Nottingham Forest head coach Ange Postecoglou.

If anyone knows about the cut-throat nature of football management then it is the Australian.

Less than five months ago Postecoglou masterminded Tottenham’s euphoric Europa League triumph, ending the club’s 17-year trophy drought in the process.

Just over two weeks later, the 60-year-old was sacked.

Now, in his new role as Forest manager, Postecoglou’s position is once again under major scrutiny.

But this time the body of work is less impressive. Postecoglou has overseen seven matches since replacing Nuno Espirito Santo 38 days ago; he’s not managed a single victory in that time.

So, the prospect of Postecoglou being relieved of his duties in the event of a fourth defeat in five Premier League matches since taking charge against Chelsea on Saturday will not arrive as a shock to the Forest boss.

Forest considering replacements

It is understood the process of identifying replacements in the event of his sacking is under way and developed during the international break.

Of course, it makes common sense for all clubs to have contingency plans in place for every scenario.

But Postecoglou’s terrible start at the City Ground, coupled with the growing unhappiness with him from sections of supporters, means the steps taken to prepare for life without the former Celtic boss seem more concrete.

All the indications are that Forest will target a manager who has a history of playing pragmatic football, or at least a more balanced approach in comparison to Postecoglou’s trademark front-foot, attacking methodology.

That in itself begs the question why Forest decided to part with Nuno, who successfully led Forest into Europe adopting the style of gameplan the City Ground club are looking for, should they fire Postecoglou.

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On Forest’s radar is Fulham head coach Marco Silva, with sources indicating that the Portuguese is the preferred option of a number of internal figures at the City Ground.

Silva, who worked under owner Evangelos Marinakis at Olympiacos, has cemented Fulham’s position in the Premier League by adopting the sort of football Forest believe can help stabilise the team following their poor start to the season.

But Silva is under contract at Craven Cottage, with sources informing BBC Sport that the 48-year-old has a “significant” release clause in his contract.

Having just paid off Nuno, and with the prospect of having to compensate Postecoglou looming, there would be an obvious reluctance to fork out a further large sum to appoint Silva, particularly given he will be available for free when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Given the difficulties attached to attracting Silva, it is understood Forest have studied the merits and, more pertinently, potential costs of alternatives.

Sources have told BBC Sport that the prospect of re-appointing Steve Cooper, who led Forest back to the top flight in 2022 before being sacked and replaced by Nuno in December 2023, has been considered.

Close up of Sean Dyche while managing EvertonGetty Images

Another option explored, as reported by BBC Sport last week, is the appointment of Sean Dyche.

The attraction to the former Burnley and Everton head coach is clear; he has a proven track record in keeping teams in the Premier League while his tactical approach is akin to the style Forest are targeting.

Dyche lives close to Nottingham and is available for nothing, having left Everton earlier this year.

The 54-year-old came through the youth ranks at Forest as a player and his assistants – Ian Woan and Steve Stone – played extensively for the club during their professional careers.

Dyche ticks a lot of boxes.

However, whether Forest and Dyche would be able to reach an agreement on terms should the club formalise their interest in the manager remains to be seen.

Any replacement for Postecoglou would be the club’s fourth head coach since their promotion to the Premier League in 2022 – with that in mind you would imagine Forest’s next boss would look to have a high level of contractual protection in the event of them also losing their job.

You would imagine Dyche – as attractive as the Forest job may be – would be no different.

Given the cost of firing Nuno and paying severance to Postecoglou, it would be understandable if Forest were reluctant to make a big financial commitment to another manager in the same season.

Postecoglou’s nature is to back himself

The due diligence already completed towards Postecoglou’s possible replacement provides a clear indication of the jeopardy the Australian faces.

It would be hard for any manager to change the direction of travel in these circumstances.

Of course, Postecoglou will back himself to turn it around. That’s his nature.

Similarly, owner Marinakis wants him to succeed, having backed Postecoglou’s track record of winning silverware as one of the key factors in why he appointed him in the first place.

Indeed, prior to their previous Premier League outing against Newcastle, that resulted in a 2-0 loss, well-placed sources told BBC Sport that Postecoglou still maintained the immediate backing of the Forest owner, though there was a recognition that the result and manner of performance at St James’ Park would have a key influence on how Marinakis viewed his manager’s future.

Likewise, there is a feeling Postecoglou has not been helped by refereeing decisions.

For instance, during the Europa League defeat by FC Midtjylland – that saw supporters turn on Postecoglou – earlier this month, there was a feeling that as many as 14 key decisions went against Forest.

But with that said, the internal scrutiny on Postecoglou is intense.

Postecoglou is expected to have the chance to give the Forest hierarchy something to think about against Chelsea this weekend.

Victory could see the under-fire coach take the first step towards what appears an unlikely road to recovery at Forest.

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Channing Tatum confused about Strictly star’s pregnancy during The One Show appearance

By in Entertainment News, News

Dianne Buswell is currently performing on Strictly Come Dancing after announcing she is expecting her first baby with partner Joe Sugg

Channing Tatum ended up confused about a Strictly Come Dancing star’s pregnancy during his The One Show appearance this week. The actor was appearing on the BBC show to promote his latest role but Dianne Buswell and Stefan Dennis were also there to talk about Strictly.

Before the latest series kicked off, Dianne announced that she and her boyfriend, who she met on the show, were expecting their first baby together. She is still taking part on the show throughout her pregnancy.

The One Show host Alex Jones gave her congratulations to Dianne, joking that “there’s actually three of you dancing”. The professional dancer agreed, but Alex had to clarify what she meant when Channing looked slightly confused.

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READ MORE: Strictly’s Dianne Buswell dealt heartbreaking blow after being forced to miss show

Alex said “Dianne’s expecting a baby” while the actor admitted he was “not understanding” what was going on. He said that he thought Strictly seemed “different to Dancing With The Stars” as others joked that he must have thought three people took to the dance floor instead of the usual couples.

Dianne went on to say how great it is to be able to be on the show while pregnant, she said: “It’s really exciting. Thank you so much. Yeah, that was very cool. And when I’m out there, I often think I’ve got a little bunny just dancing along with us. It’s really cool. It’s a magical experience.”

The 36-year-old is partnered up with Stefan and they got off to a good start but had to miss Move Week due to the actor not being very well. However, they will be taking to the Strictly dancefloor once again this weekend.

Fans were disappointed as they wanted to see their Shrek inspired routine for Movie Week. Dianne was still able to join in with her professional dancers as she took part in the group routines instead.

Now, the pair have confirmed if they will be back on the show as they recorded a message for their worried fans. Stefan and Dianne revealed they were back in the training room and are planning to make their comeback this Saturday.

In their message, Stefan said: “Hi everyone, just want to say thank you very much for all your support and well wishes while we were away last week. We are back in the training room and if all goes well, which it will, I will be back on the floor this Saturday. I am looking forward to it.”

Stefan confirmed that the pair would be dancing a Charleston. The dancer added: “But honestly, from the bottom of our hearts we thank you for all the support and love and we are very very excited to be back in the training room.”

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The BBC confirmed Stefan’s absence with a statement before the live show. They said: “Stefan Dennis won’t be dancing on Saturday night due to illness. We wish him a speedy recovery and will hopefully see him back in the Ballroom with Dianne next week.”

Dianne took to Instagram to share the announcement and added her own message for Stefan. On her Instagram Story, the Australian dancer wrote: “Sending Aussie love to the wonderful @stefandennis7 you are such a trooper and I know how much you wanted to dance. Hopefully we will be back in full force next week.”

Dunelm’s ‘gorgeous’ £24 accessory ‘brightens up your home’

By in Entertainment News, News

The retailer is stocking an “gorgeous” and “beautiful” decoration, which has been praised by shoppers

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With Christmas just a few months away, shoppers are beginning to search for festive decorations to spruce up their homes. Dunelm shoppers are raving about the retailer’s “gorgeous” £24 accessory, designed to improve the look of your front door.

Dunelm is selling the Artificial Evergreen Forest Wreath, priced at £24, which is said to be a “great alternative to fresh arrangements.” The product can be used indoors and outside, and features pine cones and leaves.

The full Dunelm product description reads: “Brighten up your home this Christmas with our 36cm Evergreen Forest Wreath. Handcrafted from natural materials, it features leaves, natural pinecones, and white mistletoe berry decorations.

“The earthy forest green tones and woodland bracken make this wreath perfect for hanging on your front door or around your home.”

Elsewhere, Next stocks the Red Berry Lit Christmas Wreath for £34, while B&Q has the £25.50 Vintage Style Starry Night Festive Decor Autumn-Winter Wreath Front Door Christmas Wreath 35cm. Rober Dyas also has the Festive 30cm Red Flowers/Cones/Gold Cones/Balls Wreath for £19.99.

The Artificial Evergreen Forest Wreath has racked up a 4.3 star rating online, gaining a number of reviews from impressed shoppers. Among them, one person said: “Lovely autumn door wreath. This is one of the nicest door wreath I have ever had really stands out very good quality colours really striking very pleased.”

A second wrote: “A very pretty item. Looks lovely and very spring like on my front door.” A third read: “Beautiful wreath, was packaged well and looks exactly like the photo on the website. Really happy with it as it looks beautiful on my front door for Christmas.”

However, some shoppers found the quality of the wreath poor. One person said: “It looks so lovely, but I was disappointed at how easy it broke at the slightest touch.”

Another wrote: “Lovely wreath design but the material used is very brittle & breaks easily. Not sure if its going to last.”

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Clean air is the new frontier of global cooperation

By in News, World News

As the Group of 20 leaders gather in Cape Town, clean air features on the agenda as a standalone priority for the first time in the forum’s history. The reality, however, is stark. Outdoor air pollution claims 5.7 million lives each year, and a report released last week highlights the lack of international development finance for clean air. Only $3.7bn was spent globally in 2023, representing barely 1 percent of aid, with only a fraction reaching Africa.

As the minister chairing the G20’s environment workstream this year, I am proud to have worked with member countries and international organisations to place air pollution firmly on the agenda. When Japan held the presidency in 2019, the focus was on marine plastics. Last year, under Brazil’s leadership, the G20 prioritised finance for forests. This year, we sought to treat the right to breathe clean air with the urgency it deserves.

In South Africa, our Constitution guarantees every person the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or wellbeing. That principle guides our domestic policy and informs our leadership of the G20’s discussions.

This is the first G20 presidency on African soil, a fitting setting to confront this crisis. Africa is the fastest urbanising continent on Earth, and the choices we make today in how we power our homes, move our people, and build our cities will shape health, climate, and economic outcomes for decades to come. The burden of air pollution is already visible in hospital admissions, school absenteeism, and productivity losses across the continent. According to the World Bank, outdoor air pollution causes global economic losses equivalent to nearly 5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) each year.

This reality is now reshaping the global debate. In May, governments adopted the world’s first global goal on air quality at the World Health Organization’s World Health Assembly, which aims to halve deaths caused by poor air by 2040. It was a landmark step, but without finance to match ambition, such commitments risk remaining words on paper.

Our G20 deliberations identified four barriers to cleaner air. The first is limited institutional capacity. The second is inadequate monitoring and data, leaving policymakers and citizens without reliable information. The third is weak cooperation across borders. The fourth is the shortage of finance relative to the scale of the problem.

The Clean Air Fund’s recent report makes this plain. In 2023, support for outdoor air quality in sub-Saharan Africa fell by 91 percent to only $11.8m. Globally, just 1 percent of aid was spent on clean air, and only 1 percent of that reached sub-Saharan Africa. In other words, less than one-10,000th (1/10,000) of global development funding supports clean-air efforts in one of the regions most in need.

That is not only inequitable; it is also economically short-sighted. Clean-air action reduces healthcare costs, boosts productivity, and supports the transition to more resilient economies.

South Africa’s own experience demonstrates what is possible. Through the National Air Quality Framework and the National Environmental Management Act, we have built a foundation for accountability and transparency in monitoring air quality. We have strengthened coordination between national and municipal governments, introduced targeted interventions in the Highveld and Vaal Triangle, and expanded our air-quality monitoring network so that communities can access real-time data. These measures are supported by our broader Just Energy Transition, which directs investment towards cleaner transport, renewable power, and improved waste management.

The lesson is that progress requires both political will and predictable finance. Domestic measures alone are not enough. International financial institutions and development banks must embed clean-air objectives within climate and development portfolios.

This year’s G20 discussions also underscored the importance of data. You cannot manage what you cannot measure. Expanding reliable air-quality monitoring networks in low-income countries is one of the smartest investments the international community can make. It empowers local decision-makers, supports innovation in clean technologies, and strengthens accountability.

The message from Cape Town is clear: clean air belongs at the top table. That recognition must now be matched by sustained progress to deliver measurable outcomes. In practice, this means embedding clean-air objectives at the heart of development finance and prioritising regions that have been left behind, especially across Africa, where pollution levels are high but funding remains negligible.

Clean air is not a peripheral issue; it is central to achieving climate goals, health targets, and sustainable growth. The science is clear: the same pollutants that harm human health also warm the planet. Tackling them together delivers faster and more cost-effective results.

We therefore call for a collective effort among governments, development partners, and the private sector to ensure that clean air becomes a central measure of success in the global transition. The right to breathe clean air is universal. Delivering it requires fairness, commitment, and finance that match ambition.

Carol Kirkwood says doctors didn’t ‘tell us why’ as she makes heartbreaking baby admission

By in Entertainment News, News

BBC Breakfast weather presenter Carol Kirkwood has opened up about her desire to have children, but sadly it “just never happened” – and she’s now shared a further poignant detail

BBC Breakfast’s Carol Kirkwood has opened up about her heart-wrenching struggle to have children but insists she’s grateful for the life she’s led. The weather presenter, who recently released her fifth novel, Meet Me at Sunset, spoke candidly about her family life in a recent interview.

Carol, one of eight siblings, has no children of her own despite having wanted to be a mother since she was young. She revealed that she “tried everything” to conceive, but sadly, it “just never happened.”

In a further emotional revelation, Carol shared that her doctors never explained why she couldn’t conceive. Despite this, she chose to focus on the positive aspects of her life.

According to Candis Magazine, Carol “would have loved” to start a family. She said: “Nor did the doctors ever tell us why.”

However, she refused to let this dampen her spirits and highlighted a silver lining, reports the Express.

She reflected: “Well, just look at the life I’ve had. I couldn’t have achieved half of it if I’d had children at home.”

In a 2022 interview with Yours Magazine, Carol echoed these sentiments, acknowledging that her impressive career achievements — “none of that would have been possible” if she’d had children to care for at home.

Carol began her broadcasting career at BBC Scotland before transitioning to radio. She married property developer Jimmy Kirkwood and took a break from the BBC to work in recruitment.

She made her comeback to the BBC more than thirty years ago after joining as a freelance contributor in 1993.

She subsequently became a familiar face on The One Show and BBC Breakfast in her role as a weather forecaster.

Unfortunately, Carol and Jimmy’s marriage ended in divorce in 2008 following 18 years together.

She later married her second husband, police constable Steve Randall, in 2021, though she has previously discussed the challenge of maintaining her cheerful on-screen demeanour during difficult times.

In an interview with Yours Magazine, she revealed: “I still had to be sunny Carol on screen. It was all so shocking to me. I’d come off air, go to the ladies, have a good cry, and then reapply my eye make-up before stepping in front of the cameras again.”

She described how this approach aided her healing process, explaining that she compartmentalised her “grief into a compartment.”

Carol mentioned that this was something she maintained as separate from her professional duties; otherwise, she said, she would have been reduced to a “puddle of tears.”

Nevertheless, Carol has discovered contentment with her new husband, Steve.

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She told PA that her partner was “very romantic and very generous” and a “lovely man.”