2025-10-03 06:47:59
Chris BurtonAnge Postecoglou makes unwanted Nottingham Forest history as he becomes first manager in a CENTURY to endure such a terrible startAnge Postecoglou has made history at Nottingham Forest, but not the kind that the Australian coach was hoping for. The former Tottenham manager has failed to win any of his opening six games as Reds boss, since being appointed as successor to Nuno Espirito Santo. His latest setback came in a Europa League clash with Midtjylland, with fans at the City Ground airing their anger before the final whistle blew on Trentside.
Ange Postecoglou’s tenure at Nottingham Forest has spiraled into uncharted territory, etching his name into the club’s record books for all the wrong reasons. The Australian tactician, renowned for his progressive style at Celtic and Tottenham Hotspur, now holds the dubious distinction of becoming the first manager in over 100 years to fail to secure a single victory in his first six competitive matches. This abysmal run stretches back to his appointment in the summer, overshadowing the club’s recent European ambitions and reigniting fears of a prolonged crisis. Historical data reveals that the last time a Forest manager endured such a barren streak was during the tumultuous post-World War I era, a period marked by administrative chaos and financial instability—a far cry from the modern Premier League landscape Postecoglou was hired to navigate.
The Europa League defeat to Danish side Midtjylland served as the latest flashpoint for fan discontent, with sections of the City Ground crowd unleashing furious chants of “You don’t know what you’re doing!” long before the 90 minutes concluded. Protesters gathered outside the stadium prior to kickoff, brandishing banners that read “Europa Shame” and “Tottenham Tactics Don’t Work Here,” highlighting the growing disconnect between the manager’s philosophy and supporter expectations. On the pitch, Forest’s lethargic performance—a 2-0 loss marred by defensive errors and a lack of creative spark—underscored the severity of the crisis, leaving Postecoglou visibly isolated in the dugout as boos echoed through the stands. Club insiders report escalating tensions behind the scenes, with senior players privately questioning the viability of his high-press system against physically dominant Premier League rivals.
Postecoglou’s struggles have intensified scrutiny over the club’s decision to replace Nuno Espírito Santo, whose pragmatic approach had stabilized Forest after their dramatic Premier League survival battle. Critics argue that the board misjudged the cultural shift required to implement Postecoglou’s gegenpressing ideology, particularly given the squad’s reliance on rugged midfielders and direct wing play under previous regimes. Injuries to key attackers have compounded the issue, but the manager’s refusal to adapt his tactics—evident in repeated 3-4-3 formations yielding minimal ball retention—has drawn sharp criticism from analysts. Former Forest striker Stan Collymore bluntly stated, “He’s trying to force a square peg into a round hole,” while local media outlets speculate whether the hierarchy will intervene before the upcoming derby against Derby County.
With relegation fears looming and European humiliation compounding domestic woes, Postecoglou’s future hangs by a thread. The club’s Saudi-backed owners, who sanctioned his hiring as part of a bold vision to modernize the club’s identity, face mounting pressure to act decisively. However, sacking a manager with just six games played risks destabilizing the squad further, especially with January transfer windows around the corner. For now, the Australian remains defiant, insisting his methods will eventually “click,” but time is running out. If results do not improve against upcoming opponents like Brentford and Everton, Forest’s century-old record may soon be followed by another unwanted milestone: the shortest managerial tenure in the club’s modern history.
