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Replacing a club hero was consistently going to be a challenging task, but the previous manager succeeded to achieve a smart move after the former coach’s exit: winning his first two matches. A great deal is overlooked about the first six months of his tenure, when the team stayed up just one position above the relegation zone and endured a stretch of taking victory in only once in 10 top-flight games.

The former boss had done the crucial task of raising team spirit and winning over the fans by beating Newcastle away and creating enthusiasm by overcoming Manchester United at home, and nobody was demanding aesthetic football. The City Ground was buzzing in the end of 2023, and local supporters did not mind that they witnessed only two more wins there for the rest of the campaign.

Nottingham Forest supporters call for Postecoglou dismissal after 23 days following continental defeat.

Ange Postecoglou is yet to taste success, making him the first Forest head coach in a century to be unable to win any of their first six fixtures. There was a toxic mood at the City Ground on Thursday night as they succumbed to the second-best team in the Danish league. When fans are calling for your sacking after 23 days, it is fair to say things are not progressing smoothly. On Friday there were no intentions to fire the manager but a defeat at St James’ Park on Sunday could cost him his job.

Everyone at the organization understood there would be a period of change because the Australian’s tactical approach is virtually a polar opposite to the one his predecessor finely tuned there. The strategy was evolving under the former coach but not at the speed Postecoglou is trying to implement.

Beginning with a series of road matches was always going to be a tough ask for Postecoglou. Kicking off at Arsenal meant generating positive energy from the outset was improbable but losing at a Championship team in the domestic cup and tying at Burnley put him on the back foot. The match at a Spanish club seemed to be a turning point because the performance was impressive and in line with expectations regarding Postecoglou’s style. The methods were sound and, if not for a late opposing player goal, success would have begun.

However Forest are still grounded. If the coach could have been excused for the performances on the road, falling at their stadium to Sunderland and a European side was never part of the plan. There was a element of explanation in the first City Ground loss: a soft free-kick decision that resulted in the winner and appalling finishing from Forest meant the points went back to the opposing team. Forest had almost two-thirds of possession and multiple attempts but beating an opponent on expected goals is meaningless.

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

There was a belief that when the strikers found form, everything would be resolved but poor finishing is only a single of the problems confronting Postecoglou. The robust defensive unit built by Nuno has been dismantled, leaving Postecoglou awaiting a clean sheet. Stopping dead-ball situations has been an issue, a pair of the opponent’s goals coming from them, and the other goal Forest let in was from a fast break, the sort that were a regular feature during Postecoglou’s time at his former club.

Postecoglou was eager to get back to work promptly after being dismissed by his previous employers, particularly with a European honor around his neck. He wanted to prove people wrong and Forest offered that chance, with the extra incentive of being in the competition he had triumphed in in the spring. The Greek connection with Forest’s proprietor, the club’s chief, helped make the appointment smooth and the manager, in spite of his detractors, possesses the credentials necessary – but pragmatism was unlikely to be involved.

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The former manager was not fired for sporting causes but for picking a fight with Marinakis that he was never going to prevail in. Ending up seventh and taking Forest into continental competition made him incredibly beloved. Despite his gripes, a team able of finishing in the upper section was assembled and a lot of funds was invested. After excessive immediate thinking at Forest, they had a clear future plan and strategy, which featured a squad that suited Nuno. Now it feels as if a new figure has moved into the home and the residents are displeased.

Trips to one opponent and another rival bookend the visit of Chelsea in the next three Premier League fixtures, suggesting life is only going to get harder. Marinakis made the appointment with his heart and is urgently wishing to avoid another dismissal because firing Postecoglou would be an admission that he made two terrible choices in dismissing Nuno and choosing the replacement. Football is one big popularity contest and the ex-boss started gaining his at the away ground. The current manager needs to emulate that or he risks losing his for good.