What Ange Postecoglou did after Chelsea defeat before Nottingham Forest sacking

Ange Postecoglou’s short-lived spell at Nottingham Forest ended abruptly last weekend, with the 60-year-old dismissed just minutes after a 3–0 home defeat to Chelsea. The decision was confirmed via a terse 39-word club statement, marking the shortest managerial reign in Premier League history.

The Australian coach had been under immense pressure following a string of poor performances, and owner Evangelos Marinakis wasted no time acting after the final whistle. Within minutes, Postecoglou was informed of his sacking and promptly left the City Ground for the last time.

TNT Sports reporter Jules Breach provided a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the chaos that unfolded in the tunnel.

“I imagine the players are surprised,” she said. “After the interview, Morgan Gibbs-White was taken into the dressing room with the players and after that they were all taken into the boardroom where I imagine a long meeting will be happening now.”

Breach continued, “From what we saw in the tunnel, prior to that interview, Ange Postecoglou went into the dressing room, spoke to his players, but he then actually went to the other side of the tunnel area. We saw him come out of there and Edu was in the corridor as well at the time. Ange Postecoglou left with a bag on his back and went towards the car park. At that point, it seemed like the writing was on the wall.”

The Forest boss’s swift departure reflected both his awareness of the situation and the speed with which the club hierarchy made their decision.

According to sources within the club, Postecoglou’s tenure unravelled due to a breakdown in communication with senior players and confusion over tactical adjustments. His preferred high-tempo, possession-based style was poorly received by a squad built for counter-attacking football.

Training sessions reportedly became tense in recent weeks, with several players struggling to adapt to the demanding physical and positional expectations. The 3–0 defeat to Chelsea — Forest’s fourth loss in a row — proved to be the final straw for the ownership group.

Despite the disappointing outcome, some members of Forest’s staff praised Postecoglou’s professionalism, noting that he addressed the team calmly before leaving, urging players to “keep believing in themselves” even as his fate was being sealed.

Industry insiders believe Postecoglou will not be out of work for long. Despite his brief Forest spell, he retains a strong reputation for building attacking, entertaining teams — a trait admired by clubs across Europe and Asia.

Sources have linked him with potential opportunities in the Saudi Pro League and MLS, where his attacking philosophy and international profile could attract interest. Meanwhile, pundits in Australia have called for him to return to the A-League, where he remains a revered figure after guiding the national team to success at the 2015 Asian Cup.

In my view, Postecoglou’s sacking feels like a case of poor timing rather than poor coaching. We believe he was handed an impossible task: to overhaul a struggling squad in just over a month amid a congested fixture list.

Forest’s decision to act so swiftly may bring short-term clarity but could damage their credibility with future managerial candidates. If Postecoglou lands another role soon — especially at a club with a clear footballing structure — his reputation may recover faster than expected.

Forest are expected to announce an interim appointment within days, with the international break offering a short window to reset. Postecoglou, meanwhile, may take time away before assessing his next move — though interest from abroad could accelerate his return to management.

For Forest fans, the hope will be that stability returns quickly. For Postecoglou, the challenge will be proving — once again — that his methods can thrive in the right environment.

👉 Was Ange Postecoglou given a fair chance at Nottingham Forest, or was his dismissal inevitable?