Nottingham Forest have parted ways with head coach Ange Postecoglou after just 40 days in charge, following Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Chelsea. The club confirmed the decision on social media, citing a string of disappointing results and performances, and stated that no further comment would be made at this stage.
Appointed on 9 September, Postecoglou was the primary target of owner Evangelos Marinakis after the acrimonious departure of Nuno Espírito Santo. In his brief tenure, Forest failed to win any of their eight matches, leaving them one point and one place above the relegation zone. His 40-day spell now stands as the shortest managerial reign in Premier League history, surpassing Les Reed’s 41 days at Charlton in 2006. He also oversaw only five league matches, the second fewest in Premier League history after Frank de Boer’s stint at Crystal Palace in 2017.
The Australian began his Forest career with a 3-0 defeat at Arsenal, followed by a Carabao Cup loss at Swansea after surrendering a 2-0 half-time lead. A 1-1 draw at Burnley and a 2-2 Europa League draw with Real Betis, where a late goal was conceded, preceded four successive defeats at home to Sunderland and Midtjylland, then at Newcastle, and finally Chelsea.
Fans had repeatedly called for Postecoglou’s dismissal, chanting for him to be “sacked in the morning” after the Europa League defeat to Midtjylland, and expressing support for Nuno, who had guided Forest into Europe last season. Postecoglou maintained after the Newcastle game that the team was progressing, insisting the results would eventually follow.
