Ange Postecoglou still has the backing of the Nottingham Forest board but tomorrow’s trip to Newcastle could be make or break for the Aussie boss.
Forest are winless in six games since Postecoglou replaced Nuno Espirito Santo and patience is already being tested at the City Ground. Some fans turned on him during Thursday’s 3-2 Europa League loss to Midtjylland, chanting that he would be “sacked in the morning”.
The board insist they are standing by their manager for now, but insiders admit the clash at St James’ Park will carry huge weight in deciding his future. A heavy defeat could pile pressure on the 60-year-old heading into the international break.
Postecoglou has blamed bad luck and poor refereeing calls for his slow start, particularly in the European defeat. But excuses will wear thin if results do not improve quickly.
The Toon clash gives Forest a chance to show they are responding to his coaching. It is not just about the result either. Club chiefs want to see fight and structure. Another collapse could trigger tough questions behind the scenes.
Speaking on Friday, the former Celtic and Spurs boss dismissed the growing speculation. “It doesn’t enter my head,” he said. “My job is to make sure this football club progresses and gets to a position where it can challenge. If I start worrying about what happens next week then I’m not doing my role.”
Postecoglou even admitted he knew months in advance he would be sacked at Tottenham, but still went on to deliver silverware. “That didn’t stop me from winning something,” he insisted.
The Aussie arrived in England with a reputation for attacking football and lifted Spurs to fifth in his debut season. But his second campaign ended in disaster as Spurs collapsed to fourth from bottom. He did salvage pride by guiding them to their first trophy in 17 years, beating Manchester United in the Europa League final.
Forest have seen none of that magic so far. Under Postecoglou they have lost four of six games across three competitions. No Premier League side has lost more in that period and their defence is leaking goals at an alarming rate, 13 in total, an average of more than two a game. Only United and Burnley are worse.
The record books make grim reading. This is the 35th time in top flight history a new manager has failed to win any of his first six games. Postecoglou is also the first Forest boss in a century to start without a victory.
When Nuno was axed, Forest sat 10th. They are now 17th and sliding. Tomorrow’s game at Newcastle may decide whether Postecoglou gets the chance to turn it round or joins the scrapheap of failed Forest managers.
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