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Taking over from a team icon was always going to be a tough task, but the previous manager succeeded to pull off a shrewd move after Steve Cooper’s exit: securing victories in his initial pair of matches. Much is forgotten about the opening six months of Nuno’s tenure, when the squad survived just one place above the relegation zone and endured a stretch of winning only one time in 10 top-flight matches.

The former boss had accomplished the crucial task of raising morale and gaining the backing of the supporters by beating Newcastle away and generating enthusiasm by beating a major rival at home, and nobody was demanding aesthetic football. The home stadium was rocking in the end of 2023, and local supporters were not overly concerned that they saw only two more victories there for the remainder of the season.

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

The Australian coach is still waiting to taste a win, making him the first Forest manager in a century to be unable to secure a victory in any of their opening half-dozen fixtures. There was a poisonous mood at the stadium on the recent matchday as they lost to the second-best team in Denmark. When supporters are demanding your dismissal after 23 days, it is reasonable to say the situation are not progressing smoothly. On Friday there were no intentions to dismiss Postecoglou but a defeat at St James’ Park on Sunday could end his job.

All those at the organization 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 finely tuned there. The plan was developing under the former coach but not at the speed the new boss is trying to implement.

Starting with four away games was consistently going to be a tough ask for the manager. Opening at a top side meant generating positive energy from the outset was unlikely but losing at Swansea in the Carabao Cup and tying at Burnley put Postecoglou on the defensive. The match at Real Betis seemed to be a turning point because the showing was impressive and fitting with anticipations regarding the manager’s style. The processes were sound and, if not for a late opposing player goal, success would have commenced.

However Forest are still grounded. If the coach could have been forgiven 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 initial home defeat: a soft set-piece award that resulted in the winner and appalling shooting from Forest meant the result went away to the opposing team. Forest had almost the majority of possession and 22 shots but outscoring an opponent on xG is irrelevant.

Ange Postecoglou and Neco Williams will aim to turn Nottingham Forest’s results around at the next venue on the upcoming matchday.

There was a belief that once the forwards regained their scoring touch, everything would be fine but poor conversion is only one of the problems confronting the boss. The solid defensive unit constructed by Nuno has been taken apart, leaving Postecoglou still waiting for a shutout. Defending dead-ball situations has been problematic, a pair of the opponent’s goals originating from them, and the other goal Forest let in was from a fast break, the type that were a regular feature during Postecoglou’s time at his former club.

Postecoglou was keen to get back to management quickly after being dismissed by Tottenham, particularly with a European honor around his neck. He aimed to prove critics wrong and Forest offered that opportunity, with the added bonus of being in the tournament he had triumphed in in May. The Hellenic link with Forest’s owner, the club’s chief, facilitated make the appointment smooth and the manager, in spite of his critics, possesses the credentials required – but pragmatism was unlikely to be part of the equation.

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Nuno was never sacked for football causes but for picking a dispute with Marinakis that he was never going to win. Ending up seventh and taking Forest into continental competition made Nuno incredibly popular. Despite his complaints, a squad able of finishing in the top half was assembled and a lot of money was spent. After excessive immediate thinking 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 one opponent and another rival frame the home game of a top team in the next three Premier League games, implying the situation is only going to get harder. The owner made the appointment with his emotions and is desperately wishing to prevent another sacking because removing the manager would be an acknowledgment that he made two dreadful choices in letting go of the former coach and choosing the replacement. Football is one big public approval contest and the ex-boss began gaining his at St James’ Park. The current manager needs to emulate that or he risks losing his for good.