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Taking over from a club icon was always going to be a tough assignment, but the previous manager managed to pull off a smart strategy after the former coach’s departure: securing victories in his first two fixtures. Much is overlooked about the opening six months of Nuno’s time in charge, when the team stayed up just one place above the relegation zone and endured a period of taking victory in only once in 10 Premier League matches.

The former boss had done the vital task of boosting morale and gaining the backing of the fans by beating Newcastle away and creating enthusiasm by beating Manchester United at home, and no one was calling for aesthetic football. The home stadium was rocking in late December 2023, and home fans were not overly concerned that they saw only two more victories there for the remainder of the campaign.

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

The Australian coach is still waiting to taste a win, making him the initial Forest manager in a hundred years to be unable to win any of their opening half-dozen fixtures. There was a toxic atmosphere at the City Ground on Thursday night as they lost to the runner-up team in Denmark. When supporters are demanding your dismissal after three weeks, it is fair to say the situation are not progressing smoothly. On Friday there were no intentions to dismiss Postecoglou but a defeat at St James’ Park on the weekend could cost him his position.

Everyone at the organization understood there would be a phase of change because the new manager’s style of play is almost a polar opposite to the one Nuno finely tuned there. The strategy was developing under the former coach but not at the speed the new boss is attempting to implement.

Starting with a series of road matches was consistently going to be a tough challenge for Postecoglou. Kicking off at Arsenal meant generating positive energy from the outset was improbable but suffering a defeat at a Championship team in the domestic cup and drawing at Burnley put him on the back foot. The game at a Spanish club seemed to be a positive shift because the showing was impressive and in line with anticipations regarding the manager’s style. The processes were sound and, but for a last-minute opposing player goal, success would have commenced.

However Forest remain grounded. If the coach could have been excused for the performances on the road, losing at home to a visiting team and Midtjylland was not part of the plan. There was a degree of mitigation in the initial City Ground loss: a generous free-kick decision that resulted in the winner and appalling finishing from Forest meant the result went back to the opposing team. Forest had nearly two-thirds of possession and multiple attempts but beating an opponent on xG is irrelevant.

Ange Postecoglou and a key player will want to turn the team’s results around at Newcastle on Sunday.

There was a hope that once the forwards regained their scoring touch, everything would be resolved but poor finishing is only one of the issues facing the boss. The robust backline constructed by Nuno has been dismantled, leaving him awaiting a clean sheet. Defending dead-ball situations has been an issue, two of Midtjylland’s goals originating from them, and the remaining goal Forest conceded was from a fast break, the sort that were a common occurrence during Postecoglou’s time at his former club.

The coach was keen to get back to work quickly after being dismissed by his previous employers, especially with a Europa League honor around his neck. He aimed to show people wrong and Forest presented that chance, with the added bonus of being in the tournament he had won in May. The Hellenic link with Forest’s proprietor, the club’s chief, helped make the appointment smooth and Postecoglou, in spite of his critics, does have the qualifications required – but pragmatism was not to be part of the equation.

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The former manager was not sacked for football reasons but for picking a fight with the owner that he was not going to win. Finishing in seventh place and guiding Forest into continental competition made him extremely beloved. Despite his complaints, a team capable of finishing in the upper section was assembled and plenty of funds was spent. After far too much immediate thinking at Forest, they had a defined long-term vision and approach, which featured a team that fit Nuno. Now it seems as if a stepdad has entered the house and the children are displeased.

Trips to Newcastle and Bournemouth frame the visit of a top team in the next three Premier League fixtures, implying the situation is only going to get harder. Marinakis made the selection with his emotions and is urgently wishing to prevent another sacking because removing Postecoglou would be an admission that he made two dreadful choices in dismissing Nuno and selecting the replacement. The sport is one big popularity competition and the ex-boss began gaining his at St James’ Park. Postecoglou needs to do the same or he faces the possibility of forfeiting his for good.