Ange Postecoglou sacked after 39 days as Nottingham Forest Coach
Nottingham Forest have sacked Ange Postecoglou after just 39 days in charge, setting an unwanted record for the shortest permanent managerial reign in Premier League history.
The decision came just 17 minutes after Forest’s 3-0 home defeat to Chelsea on Saturday, their eighth winless game under the Australian coach. Postecoglou, who was appointed on 9 September, managed just two draws and six defeats across all competitions, leaving Forest hovering one point above the relegation zone in 17th place.
The dismissal officially surpasses Frank de Boer’s 77-day tenure at Crystal Palace in 2017, with Postecoglou’s reign now the briefest for any permanent Premier League manager.
“Nottingham Forest Football Club can confirm that after a series of disappointing results and performances, Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties as head coach with immediate effect,” the club said in a statement.
“The club will make no further comment at this time.”
A Short and Shocking Tenure
Postecoglou’s time at the City Ground began with optimism. Forest were 10th in the Premier League and dreaming of European football for the first time in three decades. Club owner Evangelos Marinakis praised the former Tottenham and Celtic boss for his “top-level experience” and “desire to build something special.”
But those ambitions quickly unraveled. Forest lost 3-0 at Arsenal in Postecoglou’s first match, then crashed out of the Carabao Cup against Swansea after throwing away a 2-0 lead.
Draws with Burnley and Real Betis offered little respite, and a 3-2 Europa League loss to Midtjylland turned the crowd against him. Chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” echoed around the City Ground, a sentiment that grew louder after a 2-0 defeat at Newcastle United before the international break.
Postecoglou insisted he “loved a fight” when asked about his future, but Saturday’s home thrashing by Chelsea — capped by goals from Josh Acheampong, Pedro Neto, and Reece James — sealed his fate.
It also marked his second Premier League sacking in five months, following his departure from Tottenham earlier this year.
Forest’s Managerial Merry-Go-Round
Postecoglou’s exit means Forest are now searching for their third manager of the season, after parting ways with Nuno Espírito Santo in August.
According to multiple reports, Fulham boss Marco Silva is Forest’s preferred target. Silva previously worked with Marinakis at Olympiacos and is admired for stabilising Fulham with an attractive, possession-based style — something Forest’s hierarchy reportedly wants to replicate.
However, Silva’s significant release clause and the compensation already owed to both Nuno and Postecoglou may make that move difficult. As a result, Forest are also exploring alternatives. Sources suggest that a return for Steve Cooper, who guided Forest back to the Premier League in 2022, was discussed, but Cooper recently took charge of Brøndby IF in Denmark.
Another name in the frame is Sean Dyche, the former Burnley and Everton boss. Dyche, who lives near Nottingham and is currently unattached, has a proven track record of keeping clubs in the top flight, a quality Forest desperately need.
A Record Nobody Wanted
Postecoglou’s 39-day stint officially breaks Frank de Boer’s record (77 days at Crystal Palace), with Sam Allardyce’s 30-day spell at Leeds excluded since it was an interim role. It’s a brutal reminder of how unforgiving the Premier League can be, especially for clubs battling to stay afloat.
For now, Nottingham Forest face another reset. The team has scored just four goals in its last six games and remains perilously close to the drop zone. Whoever takes over will inherit a talented but fragile squad — and a fan base running out of patience.
SportsLigue