Nottingham Forest have dismissed manager Ange Postecoglou after just 39 days in charge, following a 3–0 home defeat to Chelsea on Saturday the club’s eighth winless match of the Premier League season.
The result leaves Forest 17th on the table, hovering just above the relegation zone, and prompted an immediate decision from club owner Evangelos Marinakis, who reportedly left his seat early as Chelsea dominated the second half.
A club statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) confirmed the Australian’s dismissal:
“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. The club will make no further comment at this time.”
Postecoglou’s reign lasting just over five weeks now becomes the shortest managerial tenure in Premier League history for a permanent coach. Appointed on September 9, he failed to secure a single win in eight matches across all competitions, collecting only one point from five league games.
The club is now searching for its third manager this season, following the earlier sackings of Nuno Espirito Santo and now Postecoglou.
Forest captain Ryan Yates admitted the players share responsibility for the poor run, urging “unity and focus” as the club looks to steady its campaign.
On the pitch, Forest started brightly but failed to convert early chances. Josh Acheampong opened the scoring for Chelsea in the 49th minute, before Pedro Neto added a superb free-kick. Reece James sealed the win in the 84th minute on his 200th appearance for the club.
Despite missing key players such as Cole Palmer, Benoît Badiashile, and Enzo Fernández, Chelsea dominated throughout, climbing to fourth place in the table.
Postecoglou, who was sacked by Tottenham in June despite winning the Europa League last season, had voiced optimism just a day before his dismissal, saying:
“If I’m given time at a club, it always ends with me and a trophy.”
However, time ran out quickly at the City Ground.
Sean Dyche and Marco Silva are among the early names linked to the vacant position.
