OFFICIAL: After losing to Chelsea, Postecoglou was dismissed just 39 days into his tenure

18/10/2025 21:54:00 SportScoop

After a run of disappointing matches without victory and a 0-3 loss against Chelsea, Ange Postecoglou was formally relieved of his duties by Nottingham Forest just 39 days after his appointment.

Nottingham Forest confirmed that head coach Ange Postecoglou was removed from his position barely over a month after being appointed. The decision came immediately after the team's 0-3 defeat to Chelsea at the City Ground, amid growing frustration from Forest supporters over the team’s poor performance.

“Nottingham Forest Football Club can confirm that, following a series of disappointing results and performances, Ange Postecoglou has been dismissed from his role as head coach with immediate effect,” the club’s official statement said.

The loss to Chelsea was the final straw as Forest continued to show tactical confusion and a lack of spirit. Despite a decent first half, they collapsed early in the second half, conceding two goals within three minutes before Reece James sealed Chelsea’s 3-0 victory in the 84th minute. Owner Evangelos Marinakis, who was present in the stands, left the directors’ box as early as the 63rd minute — a clear sign of his impatience with the current situation.

Ange Postecoglou sacked by Nottingham Forest after just 39 days in charge

Ange Postecoglou was appointed on September 9th to replace Nuno Espírito Santo, who was dismissed following internal conflicts with senior executive Edu — Forest’s global football director. However, the Australian coach failed to improve the team’s results, failing to secure a single win in eight matches across all competitions.

This poor run of form saw Forest drop to 17th place in the Premier League table, just one point above the relegation zone. The patience of both the management and fans quickly ran out, especially after witnessing Postecoglou make controversial decisions such as substituting midfielder Douglas Luiz during the Chelsea match, which sparked boos and chants of “he doesn’t know what he’s doing” from the crowd.

According to Telegraph Sport, former Burnley and Everton manager Sean Dyche is the leading candidate being considered to take over at City Ground.

The 0-3 defeat to Chelsea was the breaking point that exhausted Forest’s leadership patience

Postecoglou’s dismissal makes his tenure one of the shortest in Premier League history — second only to Sam Allardyce, who managed Leeds United for 30 days in 2023. Les Reed, who was sacked by Charlton after 40 days in 2006, has now been surpassed by Postecoglou in this unfortunate record.

Notably, this is the second time in four months that the Australian coach has been dismissed in the Premier League. Previously, he lost his job at Tottenham Hotspur despite leading them to their first Europa League title in 17 years.

Under Postecoglou, Nottingham Forest failed to establish a stable playing style, and reports suggested internal conflicts between players and coaching staff. Changing the manager at this point is seen as an effort to salvage the season before Forest becomes engulfed in a fierce relegation battle.

Once praised for his attacking football philosophy, Ange Postecoglou now leaves England after two consecutive dismissals, raising serious questions about his ability to adapt to the demanding environment of the Premier League.

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