Nottingham Forest’s decision to part ways with Nuno Espírito Santo and bring in Ange Postecoglou already looks a gamble that has backfired spectacularly. Nuno didn’t just steady the ship – he delivered one of the club’s best modern seasons, guiding Forest into Europe and only narrowly missing out on a Champions League spot. His side finished with 61 points, conceding just 42 goals and losing only 10 league games.
In contrast, Postecoglou’s start has been far less convincing. After seven games in charge his side have lost 5 and are yet to deliver a single win. Forest look fragile at both ends of the pitch. The attacking verve promised on his arrival has yet to materialise, and defensive frailties – a hallmark of his Tottenham tenure, remain glaring.
During Thursday’s home defeat by Midtjylland in the Europa League, the home crowd turned on Postecoglou, chanting for him to be sacked after just six games. Surely something of a record, and today’s defeat at Newcastle will only exasperate fan fury.
The underling concern is that Postecoglou’s system just does not suit a Forest squad designed for resilience under Nuno. With points already hard to come by and confidence fading, the logic of Evangelos Marinakis’ decision looks increasingly questionable. Forest fans will not accept expansive football if it drags them back into a relegation fight.
The international break may give the club a chance to regroup ready to go again against resurgent Chelsea, but a continuation of their current form isn’t sustainable. By the end of this month’s fixtures, we may know whether Postecoglou is the visionary Forest needed – or whether replacing Nuno was a supreme folly that risks undoing the club’s recent progress.