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Replacing a club icon was consistently going to be a challenging task, but the previous manager succeeded to pull off a shrewd strategy after the former coach’s departure: securing victories in his first two matches. A great deal is overlooked about the first six months of Nuno’s time in charge, when the squad stayed up just one position above the relegation zone and endured a period of taking victory in only one time in 10 Premier League games.

The former boss had done the crucial job of raising morale and gaining the backing of the supporters by defeating Newcastle away and creating enthusiasm by overcoming Manchester United at home, and no one was calling for style points. The home stadium was rocking in the end of 2023, and local supporters did not mind that they witnessed only another two victories there for the remainder of the campaign.

Nottingham Forest fans demand Postecoglou dismissal after 23 days following continental defeat.

Ange Postecoglou is yet to experience a win, becoming the initial Forest head coach in a hundred years to be unable to secure a victory in any of their first six games. There was a poisonous mood at the City Ground on Thursday night as they lost to the second-best team in Denmark. When fans are demanding your sacking after three weeks, it is reasonable to say things are not progressing smoothly. On the next day there were no plans to fire Postecoglou but a loss at St James’ Park on Sunday could end his position.

All those at the club accepted there would be a period of transition because the new manager’s style of play is virtually a complete contrast to the one Nuno carefully developed there. The plan was developing under the former coach but not at the pace Postecoglou is attempting to introduce.

Starting with a series of road matches was consistently going to be a difficult ask for the manager. Opening at Arsenal meant generating momentum from the first whistle was improbable but suffering a defeat at Swansea in the domestic cup and drawing at another opponent put Postecoglou on the defensive. The match at Real Betis seemed to be a turning point because the performance was strong and in line with expectations regarding the manager’s style. The methods were correct and, if not for a last-minute opposing player goal, takeoff would have begun.

However Forest are still stuck. If Postecoglou could have been forgiven for the away results, losing at their stadium to a visiting team and a European side was never part of the thinking. There was a element of mitigation in the first home defeat: a generous set-piece award that led to the winner and appalling shooting from Forest meant the result went away to the north-east. Forest had nearly the majority of the ball and 22 shots but outscoring an rival on xG is irrelevant.

Ange Postecoglou and Neco Williams will want to turn the team’s results around at the next venue on Sunday.

There was a hope that when the strikers regained form, everything would be fine but ineffective conversion is only one of the problems facing the boss. The solid backline built by Nuno has been dismantled, leaving him awaiting a shutout. Stopping set pieces has been an issue, two of Midtjylland’s goals coming from them, and the other goal Forest let in was from a fast break, the type that were a common occurrence during Postecoglou’s time at Tottenham.

The coach was eager to get back to work quickly after being dismissed by Tottenham, particularly with a Europa League winner’s medal around his neck. He aimed to prove people wrong and Forest presented that opportunity, with the extra incentive of being in the tournament he had triumphed in in the spring. The Greek link with Forest’s owner, the club’s chief, helped make the hiring straightforward and the manager, despite his detractors, does have the credentials required – but pragmatism was unlikely to be part of the equation.

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Nuno was never fired for football causes but for picking a fight with Marinakis that he was not going to win. Ending up in seventh place and taking Forest into Europe made Nuno incredibly beloved. Despite his gripes, a team capable of ending in the upper section was assembled and plenty of funds was spent. After excessive short-termism at Forest, they had a defined long-term vision and strategy, which included a team that suited Nuno. Now it seems as if a new figure has entered the house and the residents are not happy.

Trips to Newcastle and another rival bookend the visit of Chelsea in the upcoming trio of Premier League fixtures, implying life is only going to get harder. Marinakis made the selection with his heart and is urgently wishing to avoid another dismissal because removing Postecoglou would be an acknowledgment that he made two terrible decisions in dismissing Nuno and selecting the replacement. Football is one big public approval contest and Nuno started winning his at the away ground. The current manager needs to emulate that or he risks forfeiting his for good.