🔗 Share this article

Taking over from a team hero was always going to be a challenging task, but the previous manager succeeded to achieve a shrewd strategy after the former coach’s exit: securing victories in his initial pair of matches. A great deal is forgotten about the opening six months of his time in charge, when the squad stayed up just one place above the drop zone and endured a stretch of winning only once in 10 top-flight games.

Nuno had done the crucial job of boosting morale and winning over the supporters by beating an opponent away and generating enthusiasm by beating a major rival at home, and nobody was calling for aesthetic football. The home stadium was buzzing in late December 2023, and local supporters did not mind that they saw only another two wins there for the remainder of the campaign.

The club supporters call for the manager axe after less than a month following continental loss.

Ange Postecoglou is still waiting to taste a win, becoming the first Forest head coach in a century to fail to win any of their first six games. There was a toxic mood at the stadium on Thursday night as they succumbed to the second-best team in Denmark. When fans are calling for your dismissal after 23 days, it is reasonable to say things are not progressing smoothly. On Friday there were no plans to fire the manager but a loss at Newcastle on the weekend could end his job.

All those at the organization understood there would be a phase of change because the new manager’s tactical approach is virtually a polar opposite to the one his predecessor carefully developed there. The strategy was evolving under the Portuguese but not at the speed Postecoglou is attempting to implement.

Starting with four away games was consistently going to be a difficult challenge for the manager. Opening at a top side meant building momentum from the outset was unlikely but losing at Swansea in the domestic cup and drawing at another opponent put him on the back foot. The game at a Spanish club appeared to be a turning point because the performance was impressive and in line with anticipations regarding the manager’s style. The methods were correct and, if not for a late opposing player goal, success would have commenced.

However Forest are still grounded. If Postecoglou could have been excused for the away results, falling at home to Sunderland and Midtjylland was never part of the thinking. There was a element of explanation in the initial home defeat: a soft set-piece decision that led to the winner and appalling finishing from Forest meant the result went away to the north-east. Forest had almost two-thirds of possession and multiple attempts but beating an rival on xG is irrelevant.

Ange Postecoglou and a key player will want to reverse Nottingham Forest’s fortunes around at Newcastle on the upcoming matchday.

There was a belief that when the forwards regained form, everything would be fine but poor conversion is only one of the issues facing Postecoglou. The solid defensive unit constructed by Nuno has been taken apart, leaving Postecoglou still waiting for a shutout. Defending dead-ball situations has been an issue, a pair of the opponent’s goals originating from them, and the remaining goal Forest conceded was from a fast break, the type that were a regular feature during Postecoglou’s time at Tottenham.

Postecoglou was eager to get back to work quickly after being sacked by Tottenham, particularly with a Europa League honor around his neck. He aimed to prove critics wrong and Forest offered that opportunity, with the extra incentive of being in the competition he had triumphed in in May. The Greek link with Forest’s owner, the club’s chief, helped make the appointment smooth and Postecoglou, despite his detractors, possesses the qualifications required – but pragmatism was unlikely to be involved.

Register to the daily football newsletter

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

The former manager was never fired for football reasons but for initiating a fight with the owner that he was never going to prevail in. Ending up seventh and taking Forest into continental competition made Nuno incredibly popular. Despite his gripes, a team capable of ending in the top half was put together and a lot of funds was invested. After far too much immediate thinking at Forest, they had a clear long-term vision and approach, which included a squad that fit Nuno. Now it feels as if a stepdad has moved into the home and the residents are displeased.

Visits to Newcastle and another rival frame the home game of a top team in the upcoming trio of league fixtures, suggesting life is only going to get harder. Marinakis made the appointment with his emotions and is urgently wishing to avoid another sacking because removing the manager would be an admission that he made a pair of dreadful decisions in letting go of Nuno and choosing the successor. Football is one big public approval contest and Nuno started gaining his at St James’ Park. Postecoglou needs to emulate that or he faces the possibility of forfeiting his for good.