Ange Postecoglou finds himself on precarious footing at Nottingham Forest, with reports suggesting owner Evangelos Marinakis is contemplating replacing him with Sean Dyche after a turbulent start to his tenure at the City Ground.
Filling the void left by Nuno Espírito Santo, who departed last month, Postecoglou has endured a disastrous run, failing to secure a victory with five losses and two draws from the seven matches under his stewardship. The recent 3-1 defeat to FC Midtjylland in the Europa League only served to heighten the discontent among the Nottingham faithful, with chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” echoing around the stadium.
Despite enduring another blow against Newcastle in the Premier League, Postecoglou has thus far survived the international break unscathed. However, with Chelsea set to visit on Saturday, followed by Porto’s Europa League clash on Thursday, the Australian’s future may hang in the balance.
A source cited by BBC Sport claims Postecoglou’s fate could be decided by the outcome against Chelsea, with Marinakis intent on gauging fan sentiment and overall squad morale. The Athletic corroborates this view, suggesting the lunchtime kick-off could indeed be pivotal for Postecoglou’s prospects.
The Athletic states: “The feeling is that this game or its outcome could decisively influence Postecoglou’s future. Ultimately, it’s down to the mood of Marinakis.”
Marinakis, known for his strategic approach, is reportedly deliberating his options, with a tendency to have a contingency plan firmly in place. While a managerial change is not inevitable, he is actively consulting with confidants to ascertain the perspectives of supporters and the dressing room.
Should he opt for a managerial shake-up, sources familiar with Marinakis’ protocols believe he favours a manager with established Premier League experience who can deliver immediate results.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere within the Forest squad is tinged with uncertainty following Nuno’s departure. The players, still acclimatising to Postecoglou’s methods, are left in suspense about what lies ahead, as per The Athletic’s report. Despite this uncertainty, their focus remains on the looming fixtures against Chelsea and Porto.
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