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Replacing a club hero was consistently going to be a tough assignment, but Nuno Espírito Santo succeeded to pull off a shrewd move after the former coach’s departure: winning his initial pair of matches. Much is overlooked about the opening six months of his time in charge, when the squad survived just one place above the relegation zone and endured a stretch of winning only one time in 10 Premier League matches.

Nuno had accomplished the vital task of raising morale and winning over the supporters by beating Newcastle away and generating excitement by overcoming Manchester United at their own ground, and nobody was calling for aesthetic football. The City Ground was rocking in the end of 2023, and local supporters did not mind that they witnessed only two more victories there for the remainder of the season.

The club fans demand Postecoglou axe after 23 days following European defeat.

Ange Postecoglou is yet to taste a win, making him the initial Forest manager in a hundred years to fail to win any of their first six fixtures. There was a toxic mood at the stadium on Thursday night as they succumbed to the second-best team in the Danish league. When supporters are demanding your sacking after three weeks, it is reasonable to say the situation are not going well. On the next day there were no plans to fire the manager but a loss at St James’ Park on Sunday could cost him his position.

Everyone at the organization understood there would be a phase of transition because the Australian’s style of play is virtually a complete contrast to the one Nuno carefully developed there. The strategy was developing under the Portuguese but not at the speed Postecoglou is trying to implement.

Starting with four away games was consistently going to be a tough challenge for Postecoglou. Kicking off at a top side meant building momentum from the outset was unlikely but losing at a Championship team in the Carabao Cup and drawing at Burnley put Postecoglou on the back foot. The game at Real Betis seemed to be a turning point because the showing was impressive and fitting with anticipations regarding the manager’s style. The processes were sound and, if not for a late Antony goal, success would have commenced.

However Forest remain stuck. If Postecoglou could have been forgiven for the performances on the road, losing at their stadium to a visiting team and Midtjylland was not part of the thinking. There was a element of explanation in the initial City Ground defeat: a generous set-piece award that resulted in the winner and poor finishing from Forest meant the points went away to the north-east. Forest had almost two-thirds of the ball and 22 shots but beating an rival on expected goals is irrelevant.

Ange Postecoglou and a key player will want to reverse Nottingham Forest’s fortunes around at Newcastle on the upcoming matchday.

There was a belief that once the strikers regained form, all aspects would be fine but ineffective finishing is only one of the issues confronting the boss. The solid defensive unit constructed by Nuno has been taken apart, leaving him awaiting a shutout. Stopping set pieces has been an issue, two of the opponent’s goals originating from them, and the remaining goal Forest conceded was from a counterattack, the type that were a common occurrence during Postecoglou’s time at Tottenham.

Postecoglou was keen to return to work promptly after being dismissed by his previous employers, especially with a Europa League honor around his neck. He aimed to prove people wrong and Forest presented that chance, with the extra incentive of being in the competition he had triumphed in in the spring. The Greek link with Forest’s proprietor, the club’s chief, facilitated make the appointment straightforward and Postecoglou, despite his critics, possesses the credentials required – but pragmatism was not to be involved.

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The former manager was never fired for football reasons but for picking a fight with the owner that he was not going to prevail in. Finishing in seventh place and taking Forest into Europe made him extremely popular. Despite his complaints, a team capable of finishing in the upper section was assembled and plenty of funds was spent. After excessive short-termism at Forest, they had a clear future plan and strategy, which featured a squad that suited Nuno. Now it seems as if a new figure has entered the house and the residents are not happy.

Visits to Newcastle and another rival frame the home game of Chelsea in the next three Premier League games, suggesting life is only going to get harder. The owner made the appointment with his heart and is urgently wishing to avoid another dismissal because firing the manager would be an acknowledgment that he made two dreadful decisions in dismissing Nuno and choosing the successor. The sport is one big public approval competition and Nuno began gaining his at St James’ Park. Postecoglou needs to do the same or he risks losing his for good.