Postecoglou Sacked by Nottingham Forest Just 20 Minutes After Crushing Defeat to Chelsea
By Anton Toloui | October 19, 2025
In one of the most shocking and rapid managerial dismissals in Premier League history, Nottingham Forest have sacked head coach Ange Postecoglou just 20 minutes after their 3-0 home defeat to Chelsea on Saturday. The decision came following an emergency meeting between club owner Evangelos Marinakis and senior board members, marking the abrupt end of a disastrous eight-game reign for the Australian tactician.
Postecoglou, who was appointed on September 9 to replace Nuno Espírito Santo, failed to secure a single win during his brief spell in charge. His record reads eight matches, six defeats, and two draws — a run that has left the club languishing in 19th place in the Premier League table and in real danger of slipping back into the Championship.
The sacking, announced just minutes after the final whistle at the City Ground, sent shockwaves across English football. Supporters leaving the stadium were barely through the gates when the club’s official social media channels confirmed that Postecoglou had been “relieved of his duties with immediate effect.”
A Swift and Ruthless Decision
According to club insiders, Postecoglou was summoned to a brief post-match meeting in the directors’ lounge, where Marinakis expressed his frustration with the team’s lack of progress and intensity. Sources close to the situation claim the meeting lasted less than five minutes before the decision was made.
“The owner has high expectations for this club,” a senior Nottingham Forest source told Sky Sports News. “He felt the performances were getting worse, not better. The team looked lost and uninspired. Unfortunately, in football, results dictate everything — and Ange simply didn’t deliver.”
Postecoglou, who had built his reputation through attacking football at Celtic and Tottenham, struggled to impose his philosophy on a Forest side already low on confidence. While he had promised an “entertaining brand of fearless football,” what unfolded was a string of disjointed displays marked by defensive lapses, poor game management, and a lack of goals.
The Final Straw — Chelsea Humiliation at the City Ground
Saturday’s defeat to Chelsea was arguably the lowest point of Postecoglou’s tenure. Forest were second-best in every department as Mauricio Pochettino’s resurgent Blues cruised to a 3-0 victory courtesy of goals from Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, and Enzo Fernández.
From the opening whistle, Chelsea dominated possession, while Forest failed to register a single shot on target in the first half. The home fans, who had initially given Postecoglou the benefit of the doubt, could be heard chanting “You’re getting sacked in the morning” midway through the second half — an ominous sign of how patience had worn thin.
When the final whistle blew, Postecoglou’s body language said it all. He walked straight down the tunnel without acknowledging the supporters, while boos echoed around the stadium. Minutes later, his fate was sealed.
A Reign to Forget
Postecoglou’s appointment had been seen as a bold move by Forest’s ownership. Known for his attacking style and no-nonsense leadership, the 60-year-old Australian was expected to bring energy and ambition to a side that narrowly avoided relegation last season. However, from his very first game — a 2-0 defeat to Brentford — it was evident that his system did not fit the squad’s strengths.
Forest’s defensive structure, once a point of pride under Nuno Espírito Santo, crumbled under Postecoglou’s expansive tactics. The team conceded 19 goals in eight matches while scoring only five. Senior players were reportedly confused by constant tactical changes, and several sources within the camp hinted at growing frustration with the coaching staff’s rigid approach.
“Ange’s ideas work when players fully buy into them, but here, it just didn’t click,” a Forest insider told BBC Sport. “He wanted to play out from the back and push the full-backs high, but the players weren’t comfortable. Confidence dropped, and results followed.”
His relationship with certain players also deteriorated in recent weeks. Captain Ryan Yates was reportedly dropped after a heated training-ground disagreement, while striker Taiwo Awoniyi was benched despite being one of the team’s few consistent performers.
Fans Divided But Mostly Disillusioned
While some supporters sympathized with Postecoglou’s limited time to turn things around, most felt that the club’s swift decision was justified.
“I liked Ange’s honesty, but the team looked worse every week,” said lifelong fan Stuart Hayward outside the stadium. “We were promised attacking football, but all we got was chaos. If you go eight games without a win, you can’t complain about losing your job.”
Others, however, questioned the club’s lack of patience and direction. “Another sacking, another reset — when does it end?” asked supporter Marie Phillips. “We’ve had five managers in two years. How do you expect stability when the board keeps panicking?”
Marinakis’ Ruthless Streak Continues
Evangelos Marinakis, the Greek shipping magnate and club owner, has developed a reputation for acting swiftly when results falter. Since taking ownership of Nottingham Forest in 2017, he has dismissed nine managers, with Postecoglou becoming the latest casualty of his uncompromising ambition.
Marinakis reportedly wants Forest to establish themselves as a stable mid-table Premier League club, but his frequent managerial changes have arguably hindered long-term progress. Still, sources close to him insist he believes that decisive action now could save the season.
“The owner felt there was no sign of improvement,” said a club spokesperson. “With the international break approaching, he wanted to make the change quickly and bring in someone capable of motivating the players and restoring belief.”
Who’s Next for Nottingham Forest?
Attention now turns to who will succeed Postecoglou. Former Wolves and Spain boss Julen Lopetegui has been immediately linked with the role, while reports suggest Steve Cooper, who guided Forest to Premier League promotion in 2022, could be approached for a sensational return.
Other names in the mix include former Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca — recently sacked by Chelsea before Pochettino’s return — and Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca, who was previously on Forest’s shortlist before Postecoglou’s appointment.
For now, assistant manager Chris Davies is expected to take charge on an interim basis. His first challenge will be a daunting away fixture against Manchester City next weekend.
Ange Postecoglou’s Statement
In a short statement released late Saturday night, Postecoglou thanked the club and supporters for their brief time together but admitted his disappointment.
“It’s obviously not how I wanted things to go,” he said. “I take full responsibility for the results. Nottingham Forest is a fantastic club with passionate fans, and I wish everyone the best moving forward. Sometimes football just doesn’t work out the way you hope.”
The message was met with mixed reactions online, with some fans expressing gratitude for his professionalism, while others felt he had been out of his depth from the start.
What Went Wrong
Postecoglou’s downfall can be traced to several factors:
- Poor Fit for the Squad: His demanding, possession-heavy style did not suit Forest’s players, many of whom were more accustomed to counter-attacking setups.
- Lack of Time: Taking over mid-season left little opportunity for him to instill his methods or sign players that fit his system.
- Injury Woes: Key players like Morgan Gibbs-White and Taiwo Awoniyi missed multiple games, further destabilizing the team.
- Confidence Crisis: Once results started going against them, morale plummeted — and Postecoglou’s motivational approach failed to reverse the slide.
The Road Ahead
For Nottingham Forest, the decision to sack Postecoglou represents another chapter in a turbulent Premier League journey. The club remains ambitious but perilously unstable, with survival once again the immediate priority.
For Postecoglou, the setback raises questions about his future in English football. After successful stints in Japan, Scotland, and a promising start at Tottenham, this brief and bruising tenure could be a career-defining lesson in the unforgiving realities of the Premier League.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear — Nottingham Forest’s revolving door of managers shows no signs of slowing down. And while Ange Postecoglou’s time in charge lasted just over a month, it will be remembered for how swiftly the dream turned into a nightmare.
