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Replacing a team hero was always going to be a challenging task, but Nuno Espírito Santo managed to achieve a smart strategy after Steve Cooper’s exit: securing victories in his first two matches. Much is forgotten about the first six months of Nuno’s tenure, when the team survived just one place above the relegation zone and went through a stretch of taking victory in only one time in 10 Premier League matches.

The former boss had accomplished the vital job of raising morale and gaining the backing of the fans by beating an opponent away and creating excitement by overcoming Manchester United at home, and no one was demanding aesthetic football. The City Ground was buzzing in late December 2023, and local supporters were not overly concerned that they witnessed only another two victories there for the rest of the season.

Nottingham Forest fans call for the manager axe after 23 days following European loss.

The Australian coach is yet to experience success, making him the first Forest manager in a century to fail to secure a victory in any of their opening half-dozen fixtures. There was a toxic mood at the stadium on the recent matchday as they succumbed to the runner-up team in the Danish league. When supporters are calling for your dismissal after three weeks, it is fair to say things are not going well. On Friday there were no intentions to fire Postecoglou but a defeat at St James’ Park on the weekend could end his job.

All those at the club accepted there would be a phase of change because the Australian’s tactical approach is almost a polar opposite to the one his predecessor finely tuned there. The strategy was developing under the former coach but not at the speed Postecoglou is attempting to implement.

Beginning with four away games was consistently going to be a difficult ask for the manager. Opening at a top side meant building positive energy from the outset was unlikely but losing at Swansea in the Carabao Cup and tying at Burnley put Postecoglou on the back foot. The game at Real Betis seemed to be a turning point because the showing was impressive and in line with expectations regarding the manager’s style. The processes were sound and, but for a late opposing player goal, takeoff would have commenced.

However Forest are still stuck. If the coach could have been forgiven for the performances on the road, falling at home to Sunderland and a European side was never part of the plan. There was a degree of explanation in the initial home loss: a generous free-kick award that resulted in the decisive goal and poor shooting from Forest meant the points went away to the north-east. Forest had nearly the majority of possession and multiple attempts but outscoring an opponent on xG is irrelevant.

The manager and a key player will aim to turn the team’s results around at Newcastle on the upcoming matchday.

There was a belief that once the strikers found their scoring touch, everything would be resolved but poor conversion is only one of the problems facing the boss. The solid backline built by the previous manager has been taken apart, leaving Postecoglou awaiting a shutout. Defending set pieces has been problematic, a pair of the opponent’s goals coming from them, and the remaining goal Forest conceded was from a counterattack, the sort that were a regular feature during his time at Tottenham.

The coach was keen to return to work quickly after being sacked by his previous employers, particularly with a Europa League honor around his neck. He wanted to prove people wrong and Forest presented that opportunity, with the extra incentive of being in the competition he had triumphed in in the spring. The Greek link with Forest’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, helped make the hiring straightforward and the manager, in spite of his detractors, does have the credentials required – but practicality was not to be part of the equation.

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The former manager was not fired for sporting reasons but for initiating a fight with Marinakis that he was not going to win. Finishing seventh and guiding Forest into continental competition made him extremely popular. In spite of his gripes, a team capable of ending in the upper section was put together and a lot of money was spent. After far too much short-termism at Forest, they had a clear long-term vision and approach, which included a squad that fit the previous boss. Now it feels as if a new figure has moved into the home and the residents are displeased.

Trips to Newcastle and another rival bookend the home game of Chelsea in the next three Premier League fixtures, suggesting the situation is only going to get more difficult. The owner made the selection with his heart and is desperately hoping to prevent another sacking because removing Postecoglou would be an acknowledgment that he made two terrible decisions in letting go of the former coach and selecting the successor. Football is one big public approval contest and the ex-boss began winning his at the away ground. The current manager needs to emulate that or he faces the possibility of losing his permanently.