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Taking over from a team icon was consistently going to be a tough assignment, but Nuno Espírito Santo managed to pull off a smart strategy after the former coach’s departure: winning his first two matches. A great deal is overlooked about the opening six months of his tenure, when the squad stayed up just one place above the relegation zone and went through a period of taking victory in only one time in 10 top-flight matches.

The former boss had accomplished the crucial task of boosting morale and gaining the backing of the supporters by beating an opponent away and generating enthusiasm by beating Manchester United at their own ground, and nobody was calling for aesthetic football. The home stadium was buzzing in the end of 2023, and home fans did not mind that they witnessed only two more victories there for the remainder of the season.

The club supporters call for the manager axe after 23 days following European defeat.

Ange Postecoglou is still waiting to taste success, becoming the first Forest manager in a hundred years to be unable to win any of their first six fixtures. There was a toxic atmosphere at the stadium on the recent matchday as they succumbed to the second-best team in Denmark. When fans are calling for your dismissal after 23 days, it is fair to say things are not going well. On the next day there were no intentions to dismiss Postecoglou but a loss at Newcastle on the weekend could cost him his job.

Everyone at the organization understood there would be a period of change because the Australian’s tactical approach is almost a complete contrast to the one his predecessor finely tuned there. The plan was developing under the Portuguese but not at the speed Postecoglou is trying to introduce.

Starting with a series of road matches was always going to be a tough challenge for Postecoglou. Kicking off at Arsenal meant building positive energy from the outset was unlikely but suffering a defeat at Swansea in the Carabao Cup and drawing at another opponent put Postecoglou on the back foot. The match at Real Betis appeared to be a positive shift because the showing was impressive and fitting with anticipations regarding the manager’s philosophy. The methods were sound and, but for a last-minute Antony goal, takeoff would have commenced.

However Forest are still stuck. If the coach could have been excused for the away results, falling at their stadium to a visiting team and a European side was never part of the thinking. There was a element of mitigation in the initial home loss: a generous free-kick award that resulted in the decisive goal and poor finishing from Forest meant the result went back to the opposing team. Forest had almost the majority of possession and 22 shots but outscoring an rival on expected goals is meaningless.

Ange Postecoglou and Neco Williams will aim to reverse Nottingham Forest’s results around at Newcastle on the upcoming matchday.

There was a belief that when the strikers found their scoring touch, all aspects would be fine but poor finishing is only a single of the issues facing the boss. The robust defensive unit built by the previous manager has been dismantled, leaving Postecoglou awaiting a clean sheet. Defending dead-ball situations has been an issue, a pair of the opponent’s goals coming from them, and the other goal Forest let in was from a fast break, the sort that were a regular feature during his time at Tottenham.

Postecoglou was keen to return to management quickly after being dismissed by Tottenham, particularly with a European honor around his neck. He wanted to prove people wrong and Forest presented that opportunity, with the added bonus of being in the competition he had triumphed in in the spring. The Greek link with Forest’s owner, the club’s chief, helped make the hiring straightforward and Postecoglou, despite his detractors, possesses the credentials required – but practicality was not to be involved.

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Nuno was not fired for football reasons but for initiating a dispute with Marinakis that he was never going to win. Finishing seventh and guiding Forest into continental competition made Nuno extremely beloved. Despite his gripes, a team capable of ending in the top half was assembled and a lot of funds was invested. After far too much short-termism at Forest, they had a defined long-term vision and approach, which featured a team that suited Nuno. Now it seems as if a stepdad has entered the home and the children are displeased.

Trips to Newcastle and another rival frame the visit of a top team in the upcoming trio of league fixtures, implying life is only going to get harder. Marinakis made the selection with his emotions and is urgently hoping to prevent another sacking because firing the manager would be an acknowledgment that he made two terrible decisions in letting go of the former coach and choosing the replacement. Football is one big popularity contest and the ex-boss began gaining his at St James’ Park. Postecoglou needs to emulate that or he risks losing his permanently.