Ange Postecoglou has been dismissed by Nottingham Forest just 39 days after taking over as head coach on September 9, with the announcement coming only minutes after the team’s 3-0 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis reportedly left his seat midway through the match at the City Ground, and confirmation of Postecoglou’s sacking followed 19 minutes after the final whistle.
During his brief tenure, Postecoglou failed to secure a single win in eight games, suffering four consecutive losses across all competitions. The home crowd expressed their frustration with loud boos as the Australian manager walked off the pitch, unaware that his time at the club had just ended.
Just a day earlier, the 60-year-old had strongly defended his managerial record, saying that with enough time, “the story always ends the same … me with a trophy.”
Marinakis, however, decided to write a different ending.
Ange Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest reign has come to a premature end.
“Nottingham Forest Football Club confirms that, following a run of poor results and performances, Ange Postecoglou has been dismissed from his role as head coach with immediate effect,” the Premier League side announced in a statement.
Postecoglou’s departure marks the second-shortest managerial spell in Premier League history. The record remains with Sam Allardyce, who spent just 30 days in charge of Leeds United in 2023 after being appointed on May 3 in a last-ditch bid to save the club from relegation—his contract ended on June 2 after failing to do so.
As a result, Les Reed’s brief 40-day tenure at Charlton in 2006 now ranks third on the list.
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis left his seat at the City Ground during the second half of the team’s defeat to Chelsea.
Postecoglou took over from Nuno Espírito Santo, who was dismissed after reportedly clashing with Edu Gaspar, Forest’s head of global football.
The former Celtic manager was brought in to implement a more attacking and expansive style of play but faced difficulties, particularly as many fans continued to back his predecessor.
This marks Postecoglou’s second Premier League sacking in just four months. He was previously dismissed by Tottenham Hotspur shortly after leading them to a Europa League victory — the club’s first major trophy in 17 years.
Following Burnley’s 2-0 win over Leeds United later on Saturday, Forest are now set to finish the weekend in the relegation zone.
