TNT Sports presenter Olivia Buzaglo has described the “wild” aftermath inside the City Ground tunnel following Ange Postecoglou’s abrupt sacking as Nottingham Forest manager.

The Australian coach was dismissed just 18 minutes after Forest’s 3-0 home defeat to Chelsea on Saturday, ending his tenure after only 39 days — the shortest managerial reign in Premier League history.

Buzaglo, speaking on TikTok, revealed that confusion and tension filled the tunnel once news of Postecoglou’s exit broke. Forest’s global head of football, Edu, reportedly refused to speak to the media, leaving club captain Ryan Yates to fulfil post-match duties despite not featuring in the matchday squad.

Forest wasted no time in searching for a replacement, with Sean Dyche emerging as the leading contender to take charge. The decision comes as little surprise to many supporters, who questioned Postecoglou’s appointment from the start following his underwhelming spell at Tottenham Hotspur. His indifferent attitude toward winning fans over did little to change perceptions, and a run of six defeats in eight games ultimately sealed his fate.

Owner Evangelos Marinakis, now under pressure to make the right call, faces a critical decision. Forest’s season risks unravelling unless the next manager can quickly steady the ship and fix the side’s most glaring weaknesses.

Defensive collapse and lack of cutting edge

Forest’s defeat to Chelsea summed up their problems at both ends of the pitch. Despite creating several chances in the first half, they failed to convert them — a recurring issue under Postecoglou, whose side managed just seven goals during his short tenure.

Defensively, the situation was even worse. A backline that was one of the league’s strongest last season has leaked eight goals in their last three games. Chelsea’s two quick goals after the break highlighted another worrying trend — no Premier League side has conceded more times in the opening 10 minutes of second halves since the start of the 2023/24 campaign.

Confidence at a low ebb

Postecoglou’s attempt to instil his trademark attacking style was always going to take time, but time was a luxury he never had. Despite flashes of promise, Forest’s key players — including Matz Sels, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Chris Wood — have struggled to find form.

The squad’s belief and identity seem to have evaporated, leaving them adrift of the confident side that secured European football last season. Whoever steps in next will need to rebuild not only the tactics but also the mentality of a team short on conviction.

A club crying out for stability

Above all, Forest need stability. Three managerial changes in a single season have left the club in turmoil at a time when this campaign was meant to mark their return to prominence.

After re-entering European competition for the first time in 30 years and finishing seventh last term, expectations were high. Instead, chaos and uncertainty have dominated. Constant speculation around Postecoglou’s future — and his blunt comments in press conferences — only added to the unease.

Now, with the season threatening to slip away, Marinakis must bring calm and clarity to the club. The next appointment has to be a steady hand capable of restoring order, confidence, and belief — before Nottingham Forest’s promising story turns into another cautionary tale.