Nottingham: Nottingham Forest head coach Ange Postecoglou was dismissed just 17 minutes following the team’s 3-0 defeat to Chelsea at the City Ground on Saturday. The Australian’s tenure, lasting only 39 days since his appointment on September 9, marks the shortest permanent managerial reign in Premier League history.
According to BBC, Forest has initiated contact with former Everton manager Sean Dyche as a potential replacement for Postecoglou, with ex-Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini also in the running. The club has refrained from making further comments on the matter. Postecoglou’s staff, including Nick Montgomery, Mile Jedinak, and Sergio Raimundo, are also expected to depart.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who attended the match against Chelsea but left his seat around the 67th minute, did not personally inform Postecoglou of his dismissal. Instead, a senior club official delivered the news. Postecoglou, after addressing his players, expressed regret for not fulfilling his role effectively.
The hunt for a new manager marks Forest’s third managerial change this season, following the sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo after just three matches. The club’s interest in Dyche and Mancini stems from their availability without requiring release payments. Talks with Dyche have been initiated, but no agreement has been reached. Marco Silva, the Fulham manager, has internal support but his significant release clause poses an obstacle.
Postecoglou’s short-lived stint surpassed the previous record held by Les Reed, who managed Charlton Athletic for 40 days in 2006. Postecoglou led Forest in five Premier League matches before being informed of his sacking post-match against Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea.
Ryan Yates, a Forest defender, communicated to BBC Radio 5 Live the shock within the team, emphasizing collective responsibility for the situation. BBC Radio 5 Live reporter Lee Blakeman described the atmosphere in the Forest Ground tunnel as frantic, with a media statement released simultaneously by the club.
Alan Shearer, former England captain, suggested that owner Marinakis should share some responsibility for the sacking, as he was the one who appointed Postecoglou. Shearer questioned the switch from Nuno’s defensive style to Postecoglou’s expansive approach. Micah Richards, a former Manchester City defender, echoed the sentiment that the change in tactical approach was too drastic and required more time for adaptation.
Postecoglou’s brief reign saw Forest drop from 10th in the Premier League, with aspirations for European competition, to managerial instability. Marinakis had expressed confidence in Postecoglou’s experience and vision upon his arrival, but early setbacks, including a defeat to Arsenal and a Carabao Cup exit to Swansea City, set a challenging tone. Draws against Burnley and Real Betis failed to quell discontent, culminating in the decisive defeat to Chelsea.