Ange Postecoglou’s tenure at Nottingham Forest didn’t last long, with the Australian player brutally shown the door and then having to face music from fans
Nottingham Forest have sacked manager Ange Postecoglou after just over a month in charge (Image: Getty Images)
Ange Postecoglou has revealed the “brutal” manner in which he was sacked after 18 minutes of full time in Nottingham Forest’s last game in charge after just eight games.
Postecoglou replaces Nuno Espirito Santo, who fell out with the club’s owners early in the season and paid the price. The Australian finished his final season at Tottenham in 17th place, but was heavily criticized after winning the Europa League.
His style failed to produce the desired results at Nottingham either, with Postecoglou in control of an eight-game winless streak in just 39 days. He later confessed that taking the job at the City Ground was a bad decision, but the way he was sacked left its mark.
Mr Postecoglou recalled a “cruel” situation with his former manager, who admitted he knew he had bad news. He had to move on his own to get out of the stadium, but was stuck in traffic and had to face noise from Forest fans and Chelsea supporters who had just watched their team win 3-0, which brought an end to his reign.
He said in an interview with SEN 116, “I’m not talking about it, but it was terrible. I was fired literally right after the game. I knew it was coming, I didn’t know when it was coming, but they fired me literally right after the game. I hadn’t done the press yet, but the press already knew. I was going to do something I’d regret, so I just wanted to leave.”
read more: Arsenal, next season’s ridiculous dream eleven member Hviča Kvaratschelia’s transfer is “open”read more: Alejandro Garnacho pleads guilty to speeding away from Manchester United training just days before leaving the club
“I hadn’t talked to any of the assistant coaches that I knew was probably going to get me fired, so I needed to say something to them and I was doing it while walking through the press and people looking at me, so I just wanted to get out of there.
“The security guard said to me, ‘Ange, how do you want to get out of here?’ During Premier League matches, all roads are closed for 30 minutes.”
“And after 30 minutes they said Ange, the road was open, but obviously there was traffic and they tried their best to let me through. I was stuck at one traffic light for at least 15 minutes, a Chelsea supporter gave me way, but a Forest supporter wasn’t so kind.”
The Australian knew his time was up before he was told the news (Image: Getty Images)
“I’m sitting in my car lazing around and all these little kids are asking for selfies, so what do I do? I don’t want to disappoint them. So whatever mistake I made, I paid a pretty high price.”
Nottingham Forest continue to change and change managers, with current manager Vitor Pereira becoming the fourth man to occupy the home dugout at the City Ground. He has been tasked with keeping the club in tip-top shape these days, with many teams looking over his shoulder.
Following on from Nuno and Postecoglou is Sean Dyche, who has an impressive track record of making the most of his team’s resources. He was appointed in October and served until mid-February. Out of the 25 games he was in charge of, he won 10 and lost 9.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can always check out. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
England’s 2026 World Cup kit
Various prices
england official store
Buy now from England’s official store
England and Nike have launched new home, away and goalkeeper kits to be worn at this summer’s FIFA World Cup. Use code: ENGFREEDEL to get free shipping on all orders.
