Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties as head coach of Nottingham Forest, just 40 days after his appointment.
The announcement came on Saturday, 18 October 2025, shortly after the club’s 3-0 home defeat to Chelsea F.C., leaving Forest teetering near the relegation zone and marking the shortest managerial tenure in Premier League history.
Forest confirmed the decision in a terse social-media statement: “Nottingham Forest Football Club can confirm that after a series of disappointing results and performances, Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties as head coach with immediate effect. The Club will make no further comment at this time.”
Nottingham Forest Football Club can confirm that after a series of disappointing results and performances, Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties as head coach with immediate effect.
The Club will make no further comment at this time.
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) October 18, 2025
The Australian’s arrival at the City Ground had been greeted with cautious optimism when he replaced Nuno Espírito Santo on 9 September. However, despite the fresh beginning, results failed to improve.
In eight matches in charge across all competitions, Forest recorded no wins — two draws and six defeats — and found themselves 17th in the Premier League table.
The 3-0 defeat to Chelsea proved to be the breaking point. Chelsea took control in the second half with goals from young defender Josh Acheampong, a free-kick by Pedro Neto (who also got an assist) and a third courtesy of Reece James after a goalkeeping error. After the second goal, the club’s owner Evangelos Marinakis reportedly left his seat in the Peter Taylor Stand, signaling his frustration.
Postecoglou, known for his attacking philosophy and past successes — including spells at Celtic F.C. and with the Australian national team — faced a monumental task at Forest. The club’s decision-makers evidently felt that his approach and the results were misaligned with their immediate survival ambitions.
They evidently judged that change was needed sooner rather than later. His time in charge lasted, by some accounts, just 39 days — an unwanted new Premier League record for the shortest managerial reign.
While Postecoglou did not immediately issue a public response to Forest’s statement, the context surrounding his departure suggests mounting pressure from all sides. Fans had voiced frustration on several occasions, notably during a Europa League loss to FC Midtjylland when chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” rang out.
Postecoglou admitted that the mood “isn’t going to be great” and said: “The fans are disappointed and they are entitled to have an opinion … I believe we are on the right track and don’t think we’re far from getting the results we need.”
In reviewing the decision, a key component appears to have been how rapidly the club’s form deteriorated. Forest’s performances were marked by defensive lapses, missed chances, and a failure to convert early promise into tangible results. For a club that had qualified for the Europa League in the previous season under Nuno Espírito Santo, the margin for error was slim.
Beyond the short-term results, the dismissal raises questions about wider strategy. Postecoglou’s approach emphasised attacking football and transitional play — a style that can require time for adaptation, especially at a club where stability and survival are pressing concerns.
In contrast, the club’s owner and board appear to have prioritised immediate impact and a rapid arrest of the recent slide.
This outcome has broader implications. It marks the second high-profile dismissal for Postecoglou this calendar year. Earlier in June 2025 he was sacked by Tottenham Hotspur despite winning the Europa League – an indication of how unforgiving the managerial climate has become at elite level.