Why Ange Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest Stint Was Doomed To Fail

Ange Postecoglou has had a rough time as Nottingham Forest manager thus far.

The Australian head coach arrived this summer after club president Evangelos Marinakis and then-boss Nuno Espirito Santo had fell out.

Nuno’s departure left Forest fans gutted as the Portuguese had led their side back into European football for the first time in a number of years.

The 51-year-old was not given the opportunity to enjoy the spoils of his labour before he as binned and that saw the path cleared for Postecoglou to take his second Premier League role following his own Tottenham Hotspur exit.

But things have not started too brightly for Postecoglou or his new staff as results and performances have been poor.

Forest are yet to pick up a single win under Big Ange since he took over with his first match in charge coming in a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates back on September 13.

Defeats to Newcastle United, Sunderland and Swansea City in the Carabao Cup have come amid a disastrous start where only draws with Real Betis and Burnley have kept the dogs from his door.

Why Postecoglou and Nuno Espirito Santo are opposites

For Postecoglou, though, it can be argued that his tenure at the City Ground was somewhat doomed to fail from the moment he touched down to replace the beloved Nuno.

First of all, any manager who followed the successful former gaffer was always set to have a difficult time endearing himself to the punters.

For many, Nuno’s sacking was unjust and the wrong decision from Marinakis and those fans would always compare the next boss to their favourite in recent memory.

The two coaches’ playing styles are also very different with Nuno setting his sides up to be defensively strong and organised while Postecoglou wants his squad playing an expansive, fast and attacking brand of football.

Given Nuno’s transfer signings up until his departure had all been with a view to playing his own style, for Postecoglou to arrive and have a completely opposite viewpoint of what he wants, the transition period was never going to be a quick one.

Ange Postecoglou sacked chants by Nottingham Forest fans hurt the boss

Fans chanted “sacked in the morning” at their new manager only a few matches into his leadership and it seemed to have taken its toll on the 60-year-old coach after the game vs FC Midtjylland.

But Postecoglou is nothing if not defiant and he has already vowed to fight on despite his start.

It is never a good look to be scrapping for your job after less than three months, but Postecoglou’s necessary stance may keep him there until he can turn things around.

Right now, though, that’s a big if.