Nottingham Forest have announced that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties following Saturday’s defeat to Chelsea. The news was confirmed just 20 minutes after the final whistle blew at the City Ground as the Reds suffered their fifth league defeat of the season. In the second half, with Chelsea winning 3-0, Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis jumped out of his seat.
Postecoglou had failed to win in his eight games as Forest manager and was under enormous pressure to deliver against the Blues. His fate was sealed when his dismissal was announced in an official statement just minutes after the end of the game. An unusually brief message posted to Mr Forrest’s social media accounts did not thank him.
“Nottingham Forest Football Club can confirm that following a series of disappointing results and performances, Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties as head coach with immediate effect. The club will not be making any further comment at this time.”
Postecoglou was in charge of Forest for just eight games, five of which were in the Premier League. Postecoglou’s dismissal was announced just a day after he passionately defended his job in an unusual press conference.
“From my perspective, I don’t think I fit in,” he said. “I’m not talking about that here, but just in general terms. If you look at it through the prism of ‘I’m a failed manager, but I’m lucky to have this job,’ I know you’re grinning at me, and that’s what’s being said, and I can find print where it’s being said. Of course, this manager looks like he’s under pressure.”
After speaking at length about his tenure at Tottenham, where he won the Europa League at the end of last season, Postecoglou highlighted his talent for winning silver medals at almost every club he has managed.
“We’ve reached the current realm where a different story is told. Maybe I’m not the failed manager who was lucky to get this job, but maybe I’m the manager whose story always ends the same, given time,” he added.
“At all previous clubs, it always ended the same way, winning trophies. So in the end, this is a long answer that probably won’t be reported, but you can look at the first five weeks and say: ‘He’s under pressure, because he’s lucky to get this job.’
“Or you could look at it and say there’s been a big change. I’m trying to change the way I play. The players are adapting, but there’s certainly no consistency there. But some people will look at the weeds and I’ll look at what’s growing.”
“The flip side is I’m still really excited about the opportunity here. That’s why I’m embracing this opportunity. I have a group of young players who are willing to change. That’s the number one thing. I’m going down that path.”
“What’s left? I’m not going to waste my time or energy worrying about that. I couldn’t care less whether it’s internal or external. At the end of the day, I’m going to do what I think is right to bring success to this football club and that’s what I’m focused on.”
