Nottingham Forest’s season began with high hopes, but two months in, fans are left frustrated.
After securing their first European campaign in 30 years, the club has already parted ways with the manager who got them there, and Forest sit 17th in the Premier League, still searching for their first win since the opening day.
New manager Ange Postecoglou has now spent six weeks in charge without tasting victory, and the pressure is building during the international break.
Early Signs and Summer Moves
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis and global head of football Edu may have already had their sights on Postecoglou during the summer. Tom Collomosse explains that tensions between former manager Nuno Espirito Santo and Edu were clear before the season started, prompting Marinakis to consider alternatives.
Postecoglou, admired for his Europa League success with Tottenham, became the club’s first choice, although Marco Silva was reportedly Marinakis’ ideal candidate. Silva’s large release clause made him unattainable until the end of the season, leaving Postecoglou to step into a challenging environment.
Was Hiring Postecoglou a Mistake?
According to Collomosse, the bigger misstep was not Postecoglou’s appointment, but bringing Edu in with a huge contract without assessing how he would fit with the existing recruitment team.
Key figures like George Syrianos, Ross Wilson, and Pedro Ferreira have seen changes, with Wilson now at Newcastle and Ferreira potentially returning to Benfica.
Regardless of Postecoglou’s future, Forest need to quickly define how Edu’s role will evolve, as it has a major influence on the club’s short- and medium-term trajectory.
Managerial Challenges and Tactical Shifts
Postecoglou was thrust into the team mid-season without pre-season preparation, yet he chose to overhaul the squad’s approach from the start. While some expected a gradual transition, the Australian manager opted for radical changes, which so far have not yielded results.
Fans are left wondering how long the club will tolerate these struggles, especially if poor performances continue in upcoming fixtures, like the anticipated clash with Chelsea.
Marinakis has a track record of keeping managers in place until a replacement is ready, but strong fan reactions could accelerate decisions.
Objectives Amidst a Difficult Start
Despite only 10 league games in, Forest’s season is far from over.
The club still sees European success as a shortcut to Premier League stability and Champions League qualification.
Even with just one point from two Europa League fixtures, there is potential to reach the last 16.
The choice of the next manager, if Postecoglou is replaced, will signal whether the club prioritizes survival, with a candidate like Sean Dyche, or continues to chase European glory with someone experienced on the continental stage.
Recruitment Upheaval
Forest’s recruitment structure has faced significant changes. With Wilson gone, Ferreira possibly leaving, and Syrianos attracting interest from other top European clubs, Marinakis has several decisions to make to stabilize operations. Filling these roles will be crucial to supporting the manager and squad moving forward.
Player Form Under Scrutiny
Morgan Gibbs-White’s dip in form has also raised eyebrows.
Once linked with Manchester City and Tottenham, the 25-year-old remains Forest’s highest-paid player but has struggled to recapture his best performances.
Compounded by competition from younger teammates like Elliot Anderson, Forest need to see the real Gibbs-White emerge again—soon.
Is the Dream Still Alive?
Forest’s ambitions remain, but the definition of “the dream” matters.
Champions League qualification this season is a tough ask, likely requiring Europa League success.
However, the goal of becoming a consistent top-half Premier League club is still achievable.
Collomosse emphasizes that progress is rarely linear.
While Forest have hit a rough patch, there is optimism that they can regain momentum and stabilize both on and off the pitch.