When Ange Postecoglou, head coach of Nottingham Forest Football Club was dismissed on 18 October 2025, the club’s 39‑day roller coaster finally hit the brakes. The decision came just 20 minutes after a 3‑0 home loss to Chelsea FC at the City Ground in Nottingham. With only one point from five Premier League matches, Forest found themselves wallowing in 17th place and staring down the relegation abyss.
Background to a turbulent season
The months leading up to Postecoglou’s appointment were anything but calm. After a season‑ending Europa League triumph on 22 May 2025, Postecoglou was abruptly sacked by Tottenham Hotspur on 6 June 2025 following a disastrous league campaign that saw the club finish 17th. Just weeks later, Nuno Espírito Santo took the helm at Forest, only to be dismissed after three games on 9 September 2025 amid a public fallout with sporting director Edu. The stage was set for a new chapter, and Forest turned to the Australian tactician, offering a two‑year contract.
Postecoglou's short‑lived tenure
Across eight matches – two draws and six defeats – Forest managed just seven goals while conceding 18. Opta’s expected‑goals metric painted an even bleaker picture: 1.84 xG for and a meagre 0.20 xG against. The Chelsea defeat alone saw Forest fire 16 shots compared with the London side’s five, yet the visitors still walked away with three clean strikes.
Postecoglou’s own reflections after a 3‑2 Europa League loss to FC Midtjylland on 3 October 2025 were candid. "The fans are disappointed, they're entitled to have an opinion on it and I heard their opinion. Nothing surprises me anymore in football," he said, before insisting he remained focused on turning the tide.
Reactions from fans, players and ownership
Forest supporters wasted no time turning the chants into a rallying cry: "Sacked in the morning!" echoed through the City Ground stands after both the Midtjylland and Chelsea defeats. Owner Evangelos Marinakis appeared visibly unsettled, leaving his seat before the final whistle against Chelsea. The club’s official statement was stark – exactly 39 words, mirroring the manager’s 39‑day stay.
Sports journalist Jamie Braidwood of Sky Sports confirmed that the tenure is now the shortest ever for a permanent Premier League manager to depart mid‑season, according to Opta data.
What the numbers reveal
- Points per game under Postecoglou: 0.125
- Goal difference: –11
- Shots on target per match: 3.4 (against 7.2 for opponents)
- Average possession: 42 %
- Expected goals for vs against: 1.84 vs 0.20
These figures underline a team struggling to create, let alone finish. Even the two draws – a 1‑1 stalemate with Wolverhampton Wanderers and a 0‑0 with Crystal Palace – offered little momentum.
Looking ahead: potential successors
With the international break looming, Forest’s board is already lining up candidates. Marco Silva, the 47‑year‑old Portuguese who steered Fulham FC to a respectable mid‑table finish, is reportedly the front‑runner. Equally linked is veteran English manager Sean Dyche, who previously saved Burnley FC from relegation on multiple occasions.
Should either appointment materialise, the new boss will inherit a squad valued at roughly £350 million, a club founded in 1865, and a fanbase that expects more than a perpetual fight for survival.
Why this matters
The rapid turnover at Forest highlights a broader trend in the Premier League: clubs are increasingly impatient, willing to pull the plug on even high‑profile managers after a handful of poor results. For Forest, the stakes are existential – each point gained now is a step away from the drop, and the next manager will need to reverse a negative goal‑difference before the season’s midway checkpoint.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Postecoglou's sacking affect Forest's relegation fight?
Losing a manager mid‑season can destabilise tactics and morale, but it also offers a chance for a fresh approach. If Forest appoints a coach who can tighten the defence and spark attacking confidence, the team could claw back points. Conversely, another mis‑step might deepen the crisis, making the drop more likely.
Who are the most likely candidates to replace Postecoglou?
Media reports point to Marco Silva of Fulham and former Burnley boss Sean Dyche. Silva brings a reputation for attacking football, while Dyche is known for organising compact, hard‑to‑break sides. Both have Premier League experience, which Forest hopes will translate into immediate points.
What does the data say about Forest's performance under Postecoglou?
Opta recorded a meagre 0.125 points per game, a goal‑difference of –11, and an expected‑goals ratio of 1.84 for versus 0.20 against. Those numbers place Forest in the league's bottom quartile for both offensive output and defensive stability.
How did fans react to the sacking?
Supporters quickly turned the club’s frustration into chant, repeatedly singing "sacked in the morning" after both the Midtjylland and Chelsea defeats. Social media echoed the sentiment, with many calling for stability and a longer‑term plan.
What precedent does this set for Premier League managerial tenures?
Postecoglou’s 39‑day spell becomes the shortest permanent appointment in Premier League history, highlighting how quickly clubs will act when results falter. It may urge other clubs to reconsider the wisdom of rapid turnover versus giving managers time to implement their philosophy.
