🔗 Share this article

Taking over from a team hero was always going to be a challenging assignment, but the previous manager managed to pull off a smart strategy after the former coach’s exit: winning his initial pair of fixtures. A great deal is forgotten about the opening six months of Nuno’s tenure, when the squad survived just one position above the relegation zone and endured a period of winning only once in 10 Premier League matches.

The former boss had done the crucial job of boosting morale and winning over the supporters by defeating Newcastle away and creating enthusiasm by overcoming a major rival at their own ground, and no one was calling for style points. The home stadium was buzzing in late December 2023, and home fans did not mind that they witnessed only two more victories there for the rest of the season.

The club fans call for the manager axe after less than a month following continental defeat.

Ange Postecoglou is still waiting to experience success, becoming the initial Forest manager in a century to be unable to secure a victory in any of their opening half-dozen fixtures. There was a toxic mood at the City Ground on Thursday night as they lost to the runner-up team in the Danish league. When supporters are calling for your sacking after 23 days, it is fair to say things are not progressing smoothly. On Friday there were no plans to fire the manager but a loss at St James’ Park on Sunday could cost him his position.

Everyone at the club understood there would be a period of change because the new manager’s style of play is almost a complete contrast to the one his predecessor carefully developed there. The strategy was developing under the former coach but not at the speed Postecoglou is trying to introduce.

Beginning with four away games was always going to be a tough ask for the manager. Kicking off at a top side meant building positive energy from the first whistle was unlikely but losing at Swansea in the domestic cup and drawing at Burnley put Postecoglou on the back foot. The match at a Spanish club seemed to be a turning point because the performance was strong and fitting with anticipations regarding Postecoglou’s style. The methods were correct and, if not for a late Antony goal, takeoff would have commenced.

Instead Forest are still grounded. If the coach could have been excused for the performances on the road, losing at home to Sunderland and a European side was never part of the plan. There was a degree of mitigation in the initial City Ground defeat: a soft set-piece award that resulted in the decisive goal and appalling finishing from Forest meant the result went away to the north-east. Forest had nearly the majority of the ball and multiple attempts but beating an opponent on expected goals is meaningless.

The manager and Neco Williams will want to turn the team’s fortunes around at Newcastle on Sunday.

There was a belief that when the strikers regained their scoring touch, all aspects would be resolved but ineffective conversion is only one of the issues confronting Postecoglou. The solid backline built by the previous manager has been taken apart, leaving Postecoglou awaiting a clean sheet. Stopping set pieces has been problematic, two of Midtjylland’s goals originating from them, and the remaining goal Forest conceded was from a fast break, the type that were a common occurrence during Postecoglou’s time at his former club.

The coach was keen to return to management quickly after being dismissed by his previous employers, especially with a European honor around his neck. He wanted to show critics wrong and Forest offered that opportunity, with the extra incentive of being in the tournament he had triumphed in in May. The Hellenic connection with Forest’s owner, the club’s chief, facilitated make the appointment smooth and Postecoglou, in spite of his detractors, does have the qualifications necessary – but practicality was unlikely to be involved.

Register to Football Daily

Kick off your evenings with the most recent perspective on the realm of football.

The former manager was not fired for sporting reasons but for initiating a dispute with the owner that he was never going to win. Finishing in seventh place and taking Forest into continental competition made him incredibly popular. In spite of his gripes, a team able of finishing in the upper section was put together and plenty of money was invested. After excessive immediate thinking at Forest, they had a clear future plan and approach, which included a team that suited the previous boss. Now it seems as if a stepdad has moved into the house and the children are not happy.

Visits to one opponent and Bournemouth frame the home game of Chelsea in the upcoming trio of league fixtures, suggesting the situation is only going to get harder. The owner made the selection with his heart and is urgently hoping to avoid another sacking because removing Postecoglou would be an acknowledgment that he made two terrible decisions in letting go of the former coach and selecting the successor. Football is one big public approval competition and the ex-boss started winning his at St James’ Park. The current manager needs to do the same or he faces the possibility of losing his permanently.