Ange Postecoglou is winless in his first seven matches as Nottingham Forest manager, piling pressure on the Australian just weeks after his appointment. The discontent among supporters has already sparked chants against him at the City Ground, with speculation mounting that owner Evangelos Marinakis may consider wielding the axe.
Rooney, however, believes talk of dismissal is premature and “crazy,” insisting Postecoglou deserves time to imprint his philosophy.
Forest’s start has been grim: one point from their opening league fixtures, a Carabao Cup defeat, and struggles in Europe. Yet Rooney, speaking on his BBC show, reminded fans that Postecoglou won the Europa League last season with Tottenham and remains a proven manager.
Rooney: Sack talk is “crazy”
Rooney expressed sympathy for Postecoglou, criticising Forest’s ownership as much as the fan reaction.
“It’s crazy. All the rumours that he could get sacked after six or seven games, it’s absolutely crazy. He’s a good man, he’s won trophies everywhere he’s been, and I hope he gets the time.” — Wayne Rooney, BBC
He also pointed out the difficulty of transitioning from Nuno Espirito Santo’s pragmatic style to Postecoglou’s more expansive approach. Rooney argued that performances against Burnley and Real Betis showed signs of progress, even if results did not follow.
Forest frustration boils over
Forest fans’ attachment to Nuno has compounded Postecoglou’s rocky start. Supporters who backed the Portuguese tactician appear less willing to give his successor patience. That frustration has spilled into chants inside the City Ground, creating further tension in an already difficult atmosphere.
Rooney suggested that if anyone is accountable, it should be the board for sacking Nuno and appointing Postecoglou in such quick succession. He insisted that the Australian coach has the pedigree to turn things around if given the opportunity.
Postecoglou’s unwanted record looming
While pressure mounts, Postecoglou is close to avoiding a deeply unwanted landmark: the shortest managerial reign in Premier League history. Having been appointed on 9 September, he has only days left to surpass Sam Allardyce’s 30-day stint at Leeds in 2023.
Steve Coppell’s 33-day tenure at Manchester City in 1996 is another infamous benchmark he will hope to avoid. But without swift improvement, Postecoglou could still find himself among the league’s shortest reigns.
Nottingham Forest 2025/26 snapshot
| Stat (2025/26) | Nottingham Forest |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 7 |
| Premier League Points | 1 |
| Europa League Results | 0W, 1D, 1L |
| Carabao Cup | Eliminated |
source: club data & BBC Sport – 4 October 2025
The figures illustrate the challenge: Forest have quality in their squad but little to show for it so far.
Analyst verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William believes Forest’s owners must resist rash decisions. “Seven games is not enough to judge a manager, especially one implementing a tactical overhaul. Rooney is right — Forest need to either back Postecoglou fully or accept that constant turnover will only worsen results.”
He added: “Postecoglou has proven pedigree — if Forest stay patient, his methods could yield stability and success. But in the short term, the results must improve to ease the pressure from supporters.”
Key insights
- Wayne Rooney called talk of sacking Ange Postecoglou after seven games “crazy.”
- Postecoglou is winless since taking over at Forest, with one Premier League point.
- Forest fans’ frustration stems partly from affection for ex-boss Nuno.
- The Australian risks being among the shortest managerial reigns in Premier League history.
- Rooney urged patience, pointing to Postecoglou’s Europa League success last season.
What’s next for Forest and Postecoglou?
Forest enter the international break with time to regroup but face pressure to deliver when the league resumes. Postecoglou must balance stabilising results with embedding his tactical philosophy — a delicate task given the atmosphere.
If results don’t turn quickly, the board could face a defining decision. For now, Rooney and others believe Postecoglou deserves time. Whether the Forest ownership agrees may determine the trajectory of their season.
👉 Should Nottingham Forest give Ange Postecoglou time to settle — or is an early sacking inevitable?
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 6 Oct 2025 10:04
I feel sorry for Forest, I have seen the game against Newcastle yesterday. They've problems when they've the ball, the passing fronts for example with the defenders and the midfielders that gap is way too big and players in that midfield something it looks they dont want to receive the ball. If Ange gets sacked who should be the next manger? It's not like there's a full market with potential good managers available for Forest?
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