Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is reportedly considering a decisive move on manager Ange Postecoglou following a dismal start to his reign — one that hit a new low with Thursday’s 3–2 Europa League defeat to Danish side FC Midtjylland.
Postecoglou Under Fire After Slow Start
Just six games into his tenure, Postecoglou already finds himself under heavy scrutiny, with reports suggesting his job could be on the line if Forest fail to get a result against Newcastle United this weekend.
The Australian’s appointment was meant to usher in a bold new era at the City Ground, but Forest have struggled to adapt to his high-tempo, attacking brand of football — a sharp contrast to the pragmatic, defensive approach favoured by predecessor Nuno Espirito Santo.
While flashes of promise have emerged in brief spells, defensive instability and poor set-piece organisation have cost Forest dearly, with 13 goals conceded across all competitions since his arrival. The Midtjylland loss only intensified the pressure, as sections of the home crowd chanted “you’re getting sacked in the morning.”
Postecoglou Remains Defiant
Speaking ahead of the trip to St James’ Park, Postecoglou dismissed the speculation surrounding his future, insisting he remains focused on the job at hand.
“I understand it — it’s part of modern football,” he said. “There’s always a manager under pressure. But that’s not how I think.
“Put it this way: I knew I was getting sacked at Tottenham three or four months before it happened, and it didn’t stop me from winning something. Pressure doesn’t enter my head. My responsibility is to make sure this club progresses. If I start worrying about next week, I’m not doing my job properly.”
Conflicting Reports on Forest’s Next Move
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has indicated that Forest’s hierarchy may be inclined to give Postecoglou time to turn things around. However, according to Sky Sports News, Marinakis is prepared to act swiftly if results don’t improve.
“We’ve been told the owner, Evangelos Marinakis, will not hesitate to remove Postecoglou if performances and results don’t improve quickly,” Sky Sports reported. “That said, he still has the backing of the hierarchy for now, with all focus on the Newcastle match.”
If Postecoglou were to be dismissed after Sunday’s game, he could set a new Premier League record for the shortest managerial reign — an unwanted milestone that would also mark the worst start by a Nottingham Forest boss in over a century.
Calls for Patience
Despite the club’s poor form, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp has urged Forest to show restraint and allow Postecoglou time to implement his ideas.
“It would be crazy to sack him now,” Redknapp said. “He’s only six games in. If it’s six months and things still look the same, fair enough — but six games? That’s nothing.
“His philosophy is totally different from Nuno’s. You have to give the players time to adjust and build some consistency. Doing anything drastic now just doesn’t make sense.”
Crunch Time at the City Ground
Forest’s trip to Newcastle could prove pivotal in determining Postecoglou’s future. With mounting pressure from fans, a restless owner, and an unforgiving run of fixtures ahead, Sunday’s result may decide whether his project is given the chance to grow — or cut short before it even begins.