Postecoglou's Departure from Forest Marks Another Twist in His Turbulent Premier League Journey
Ange Postecoglou's sudden sacking by Nottingham Forest on Saturday represents the most recent turn in the Australian coach's dramatic Premier League saga.
Postecoglou got the boot after managing zero victories in his eight games as Forest's manager, having taken over from the dismissed Nuno Espirito Santo back in September.
The day before, the ex Tottenham head coach had claimed that his stint at any team invariably concludes "with me and a trophy".
Yet under a day on, he found himself dismissed for the second occasion within five months, right after Forest's 3 0 loss at home to Chelsea.
The 60 year old's quick exit from the City Ground came just 17 minutes following the sixth and last loss under his watch, which dropped Forest into the drop zone.
Forest's unpredictable owner Evangelos Marinakis had previously removed Nuno despite the Portuguese leading the side to European football after a 30 year absence, putting Postecoglou right under the spotlight to deliver fast results.
With not a single triumph to show during his time at the new outfit, the divisive Australian's coaching path in the Premier League gains yet another striking episode.
Postecoglou endured only two stormy years at Tottenham before his dismissal in June, merely 16 days post his orchestration of their Europa League final triumph against Manchester United.
Breaking Tottenham's 17 year wait for silverware while also clinching a spot in this term's Champions League failed to shield him from the chop after a dismal Premier League showing.
Tottenham's 17th position marked their worst top flight finish since 1976/77, as Postecoglou's overly idealistic commitment to high risk attacking play sealed his fate.
Coming from a fruitful period at Celtic with two Scottish championships, he joined Spurs in 2023 hailed as an innovator poised to revolutionise the team.
Tottenham surged ahead early in his first year, but faltered when Aston Villa overtook them for Champions League spots.
Unwanted Record
The Europa League campaign prevented Tottenham from firing Postecoglou mid last season, and he adjusted by implementing a more measured strategy to overcome United in the decider.
Knowing dismissal loomed, he highlighted his successes during the club's victory celebration.
Known for declaring a trophy in his second year, Postecoglou remarked: "All the finest TV shows see season three topping season two".
However, that confident vow remained unmet.
Born in Athens, Postecoglou built his reputation through championship wins at South Melbourne and Brisbane Roar in Australia, then replicated it at Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos.
He further lifted the 2015 Asian Cup while in charge of Australia.
That said, the Premier League has highlighted weaknesses in his approach to management.
Frequently candid in media sessions and brutally forthright at times, Postecoglou appeared mismatched with Marinakis from the outset.
The Greek owner made his expectations crystal clear upon Postecoglou's hiring, stating: "We now must take the right step to compete with the very best and challenge for trophies.
"Ange has the credentials and the track record to do this."
Even if that painted an upbeat view of Forest's position after 35 years sans major honours, it highlighted the intense pressure on Postecoglou.
Defeats at home to promoted Sunderland plus an early League Cup exit to Championship side Swansea hit hard.
Heading into the Chelsea fixture, Postecoglou was squarely in defence mode during his press briefing.
"If you look at it through the prism of I'm a failed manager who's lucky to get this job, then of course these first five weeks look like 'This guy is under pressure'," he said.
"But maybe I'm a manager that if you give them time, the story always ends the same. At all my previous clubs it ends the same with me and a trophy."
Rather than accolades, Postecoglou departs Forest holding an undesired milestone his tenure under two months stands as the briefest for any full time Premier League coach.