The mounting pressure on Ange Postecoglou at Nottingham Forest is magnified by the brilliant, albeit brief, tenure of his predecessor, Nuno Espírito Santo.
Where Nuno achieved historic success, Postecoglou has only set unwanted records, turning the celebratory mood of European qualification into a panic over relegation fears.
Nuno Espírito Santo’s Unprecedented Achievement
Just last season, Nuno Espírito Santo led Nottingham Forest on their most successful journey in decades. He steered the club to a remarkable 7th-place finish in the Premier League, securing qualification for the UEFA Europa League—the club’s first European berth in 30 years.
Nuno’s success was not just about the final table position; it involved a deep domestic run to the FA Cup Semi-Finals and a style of counter-attacking football that got results.
He was recognized as a top-tier manager, winning the Premier League Manager of the Month award a club-record three times.
Despite this monumental achievement, a breakdown in his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis led to his shocking dismissal just three games into the new season.
Postecoglou’s Record-Breaking Struggle
Postecoglou was brought in to build upon Nuno’s foundation, but his start has been the opposite of a “new manager bounce.”
The Australian’s attempt to implement a high-possession, attacking “Angeball” philosophy has led to a disastrous run of results:
- Winless Run: Postecoglou is now winless in his first seven matches across all competitions (two draws, five losses).
- Unwanted History: His start is the worst by any permanent Forest manager in a century, matching a seven-game winless start set in 1925.
- League Position: The run has seen Forest fall from the mid-table area into the relegation zone at 17th place in the Premier League.
- Latest Defeat: The 2-0 loss to Newcastle United over the weekend not only extended the streak but pushed the narrative of an immediate managerial change back to the forefront.
- While Postecoglou remains defiant and insists he will “fight” to prove his philosophy works, the comparison with Nuno’s recent glory is inescapable. Postecoglou’s struggle is not just a poor start—it’s a direct contradiction of the hard-won momentum he inherited. The question now is whether the club’s board will grant him the patience to overhaul the team’s style, or if the ghost of Nuno’s success will hasten his exit.
