Ange Postecoglou sacked by Nottingham Forest after loss against Chelsea and 39 days in charge

Nottingham Forest have parted ways with head coach Ange Postecoglou just 39 days after his appointment on September 9, 2025. The decision came after a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea at the City Ground on Saturday (October 18), with the announcement made a mere 19 minutes after the final whistle. This marks one of the shortest managerial stints in Premier League history, leaving fans stunned.

A string of disappointing results

Ange Postecoglou’s time at Nottingham Forest included a lack of success, with the team failing to secure a single victory in eight matches across all competitions. The Australian manager's attacking philosophy, which had previously brought success to the other teams, failed to translate at Forest. The club’s released a statement to announce the sacking.

“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.”

Club owner Evangelos Marinakis, visibly frustrated during the Chelsea defeat, left his seat midway through the match, signaling the end was near for Postecoglou. The loss highlighted ongoing struggles, with Forest sitting in 17th place, just above the Premier League relegation zone.

Second-shortest reign in Premier League history

Ange Postecoglou’s 39-day tenure is the second shortest in Premier League history, surpassed only by Sam Allardyce’s 30-day spell at Leeds United in 2023, where he failed to prevent relegation. Les Reed’s 40-day stint at Charlton in 2006 now ranks third.

A difficult transition from Nuno Espírito Santo

Ange Postecoglou was appointed to replace Nuno Espírito Santo, who was dismissed after a reported fallout with Nottingham Forest’s head of global football, Edu. Tasked with turning around the team’s fortunes, Postecoglou struggled to implement his high-energy, attacking style. The lack of cohesion on the pitch and mounting losses sealed his fate.

A second sacking in months

This marks Postecoglou’s second dismissal by a Premier League club in just four months. Earlier in 2025, he was sacked by Tottenham Hotspur, despite leading them to a Europa League triumph, the club’s first trophy in 17 years. The back-to-back sackings raise questions about Postecoglou’s future in top-flight management.

What’s Next for Nottingham Forest?

With Ange Postecoglou gone, Nottingham Forest face the urgent task of appointing a new manager to steer them clear of relegation danger. The club’s hierarchy will likely prioritize a candidate capable of delivering immediate stability and results.