Forest sack Postecoglou after 39 days in charge

Just 17 minutes after Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat at the City Ground on Saturday, Nottingham Forest’s Ange Postecoglou was fired.

Postecoglou’s tenure at Forest is the shortest-ever managerial tenure in Premier League history, 39 days after his appointment on September 9th.

With two draws and six draws in all competitions, the former Tottenham boss was unable to win any of his eight games in charge of Forest.

Postecoglou’s five Premier League games saw Forest only manage one point, leaving the team one point above the 17th-place relegation zone.

Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties as head coach with immediate effect, according to a statement from Nottingham Forest Football Club.

The club has stated that it is “at this time” not to comment.

There is a long-term interest in Fulham’s Marco Silva, the Portuguese who previously worked for Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis at Olympiacos, which he also owns, and it is understood that Forest would like to make a quick appointment. Sean Dyche has already been considered, and Marco Silva has long-term experience.

Additionally expected to depart Postecoglou’s staff, which includes Sergio Raimundo, Mile Jedinak, and Nick Montgomery.

Marinakis was present for Chelsea’s defeat, but he was spotted leaving his seat in the 67th minute.

A senior club official instead told the 60-year-old, which is not unusual, and he did not deliver the news to Postecoglou.

Postecoglou then bid his players adieu before failing to fulfill his duties and failing to fulfill what he was ordered to do.

Postecoglou’s 39 years in charge mark the longest reign under any permanent manager in Premier League history in terms of days in charge.

In 2006, Reed was in charge of Charlton Athletic for 40 days, and he was fired for one of his eight matches in charge of every competition.

Elland Road’s interim manager, Sam Allardyce, held the position for 30 days in charge of Leeds United.

After overseeing four games at Selhurst Park, former Crystal Palace boss Frank De Boer still holds the record for the fewest matches managed by a permanent appointment in the Premier League.

In the Premier League, Postecoglou oversaw Forest five times.

After losing to Enzo Maresca’s side, the Australian was informed of his dismissal after speaking with his teammates in the dressing room.

Ryan Yates, a Forest defender, reported to BBC Radio 5 Live that “Ange came in after the game, debriefed the game, and then I ran, and I came back when the news broke that he had left.”

Alan Shearer, a former England captain, thinks Marinakis should bear some of Postecoglou’s guilt.

“Ultimately, the outcomes haven’t been good enough, and that’s on Ange,” he said. However, the owner also must assume some responsibility. Shearer told BBC Sport, “He chose Ange, it was his appointment.

How does one go from being a manager in Nuno who has a certain style of play to being a manager who is well-versed in all of his teams?

After spending a significant portion of the campaign vying for a Champions League spot, Nuno led Forest to seventh place in the Premier League last year.

Forest recorded 46 goals in 38 games, which was the division’s joint-fourth-best defense.

Tottenham, in contrast, scored 64 goals to Forest’s 58, but conceded 65 more goals with a goal difference of -1.

Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards told BBC Sport, “It was inevitable, but I don’t think it’s right.”

A contrast of styles was always going to be a factor because he only got eight games, he said.

“Forest went from being one of the best counter-attackers to being more expansive, and it never worked.”

Postecoglou is a good manager, but it’s possible that his media outbursts haven’t had an impact. He appeared to have the ideal fit, but more time was required.

The key question is now whether the next manager will be one-year or long-term. Was Forest’s last season a one-off? What are they trying to be?

Forest are searching for their third manager in a long time following Nuno Espirito Santo’s dismissal just three matches into the campaign with Postecoglou’s departure.

Fulham head coach Marco Silva is on Forest’s radar, according to sources who have heard that the Portuguese is the team’s preferred choice.

Silva’s style of play, which Forest believes can help Fulham recover from a poor start to the season, has strengthened Fulham’s position in the Premier League.

However, Silva is still under contract at Craven Cottage, according to sources who contacted BBC Sport. The 48-year-old has a “significant” release clause.

Given that Nuno has already been paid off and Postecoglou has received adequate compensation, it would be obvious that they would not want to pay Silva another sizable sum, especially given that he will be free when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Given the challenges facing Silva, it is believed Forest has considered the pros and cons of possible alternatives.

According to sources, it has been considered to resign Steve Cooper, who led Forest back to the top flight in 2022 before being fired and replaced by Nuno in December 2023.

Cooper was recently appointed Brondby, a Danish club, as head coach.

The appointment of Sean Dyche is another option being looked into, as reported by BBC Sport last week.

The former Burnley and Everton head coach’s appeal is obvious because he has a proven track record keeping Premier League teams, and his tactical approach is similar to what Forest are looking for.

Forest were 10th in the Premier League at the time Postecoglou arrived at City Ground, and they were just about to begin playing in Europe for the first time in 30 years.

Marinakis praised Posetcoglou’s “highest level” and “his desire to create something special” as ideal characteristics for the club.

Postecoglou’s debut performance saw Forest lose to Arsenal 3-0 in his opening game, which was not a perfect start.

When Swansea City blew away a 2-0 lead in Wales, Forest’s poor start was reinforced by Swansea City’s elimination from the Carabao Cup.

Draws with Real Betis and Burnley in the Premier League did little to quell the growing unease.

After Forest lost 3-2 at home to Midtjylland in the Europa League, a section of Forest supporters yelled “you’re getting sacked in the morning” toward the former Celtic boss.

Before the international break, Postecoglou responded to questions about his job by saying, “I love a fight.