Sacking 'No Surprise' for Ange Postecoglou, He Reveals

Postecoglou opens up on job security and pressure at Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest manager Ange Postecoglou addressed the media ahead of their crucial match against Newcastle United at St. James' Park.

“It's a cracking atmosphere, an exciting fixture too, so I am looking forward to it...”

Nottingham Forest manager Ange Postecoglou revealed he knew he would be sacked by Tottenham three to four months before it happened. Despite this foresight, he remained focused on his role and led the team to win the Europa League title. Postecoglou's experience at Tottenham was “very, very challenging,” but he worked with fantastic people in the football department and has won the affection of Spurs supporters.

Postecoglou is now focused on turning things around at Nottingham Forest, where he has faced a tough start, including a 3-2 defeat to FC Midtjylland in the Europa League. With no wins in six games, Postecoglou is under pressure to deliver results. He emphasized that he doesn't dwell on job security, instead concentrating on the team's performance and progress.

Postecoglou is gearing up for a big clash with Newcastle, acknowledging it will be a tough game. He hopes to ease the pressure on his team by securing their first three points. Despite the challenges, Postecoglou remains optimistic about turning their season around.

Thomas Tuchel, the England manager, recently addressed concerns about his job security amid poor results, saying, “It's a valid assumption in modern football that there is always a manager that is under pressure - that's just part and parcel of what we do - but I don't think that way.” This statement reflects Tuchel's confidence in his role and his focus on the team's performance rather than external pressures.

As the new permanent manager of England, Tuchel took over in January 2025, with a contract running through the 2026 World Cup. His appointment was seen as a bold move by the FA, given his experience in managing top clubs like Chelsea and Bayern Munich. Tuchel's vision for the team and his tactical approach are expected to bring significant changes to the squad.

Tuchel's experience managing high-profile clubs like Chelsea, where he won the Champions League in 2021, and Bayern Munich demonstrates his ability to handle pressure and deliver results. Despite Chelsea's decision to sack him, which came with a significant £13 million payout, Tuchel has shown resilience and adaptability in his career.

“Put it this way - I knew I was getting sacked at Tottenham about three or four months before I did, but that didn't stop me from winning something. 

“It doesn't enter my head. My responsibility lies in making sure this football club progresses and gets to a position where it can challenge for things. 

“If I start putting timelines to that or worry about what is going to happen next week then I am not performing the role I have been given. I just don't think it is helpful to anyone.

“At the end of the day, I have to concentrate on the environment, the training, the way we play, and as I said last night, I am still very, very strong in my belief that we are not too far away.”

What's Going Wrong for Ange Postecoglou's Nottingham Forest?

Nottingham Forest manager Ange Postecoglou is facing growing frustrations after his team's 3-2 Europa League loss to FC Midtjylland, which led to sack chants from the home fans. Postecoglou's side has struggled to find consistency, with only one win in six matches, and the pressure is mounting.

“As I said last night, we are not dealing with key moments in games very well,” said the Aussie. “Certainly last night we conceded a really poor first goal from a set-piece. We have got back into the game and then literally from kick-off they have had a set-piece and we just didn't deal with it well.

“We are having to chase games a fair bit, and while we are creating opportunities, we are not being as ruthless as we can be to see out games. It's a combination of things that we need to fix”

Key Areas for Improvement:

Conviction and Confidence: Postecoglou's experience with Tottenham suggests that rebuilding a team's mentality and confidence is crucial. He needs to instill a winning mindset in his players to overcome their current struggles.

Tactical Flexibility: The Forest team needs to adapt to different opponents and situations, which might require Postecoglou to make changes to his starting lineup and formations.

Player Form: Some players are yet to find their rhythm, and Postecoglou might need to make some changes to get the best out of his squad.

Set Pieces: Forest's vulnerability to set pieces, as seen in their previous matches, needs to be addressed to prevent unnecessary goals.

While Postecoglou hasn't specified exactly what he needs to improve, his past experiences suggest that he recognizes the importance of building team confidence and adapting his tactics to suit different opponents. With the right approach, he might be able to turn things around for Nottingham Forest.

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo is set to face Newcastle United this weekend, and he believes their upcoming opponents will likely expose Forest's weaknesses following their 4-0 thrashing of Union SG in the Champions League midweek. Newcastle United will host Nottingham Forest at St. James' Park on October 5, 2025, in a Premier League match scheduled for 2 PM WAT.

Newcastle on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/vTSUpQ6ii1

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) October 3, 2025

Forest's recent performance has raised concerns, and Newcastle might capitalize on their weaknesses. However, Forest's manager is focused on improving their game and might make necessary adjustments to counter Newcastle's attack.

“It’s a tough game. If we can go there and get a result then it would certainly lift everybody and get the belief we can turn our current situation around.” he said.

“It's a cracking atmosphere, an exciting fixture too, so I am looking forward to it.”

Ange Postecoglou's Message to Unhappy Fans

Ange Postecoglou, the current manager of Tottenham Hotspur, hasn't directly addressed Nottingham Forest's situation or the fans' dissatisfaction with their team's performance under Ange Postecoglou's potential future management. However, considering the context, if Postecoglou were to speak to Nottingham Forest fans, he might emphasize his focus on building a strong team dynamic and delivering results. 

“I don’t like sending messages to fans,” he stated. “They love their football club and are disappointed with the way things are going. The only thing I can do is fulfil my responsibility...”

Given his recent appointment and the team's current challenges, his priority would likely be on improving the team's performance rather than addressing fan discontent directly.

Full time. pic.twitter.com/6UyPZv0gaw

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) October 2, 2025