Nottingham Forest sack Ange Postecoglou following loss to Chelsea

LONDON – Nottingham Forest sacked winless manager Ange Postecoglou moments after their 3-0 English Premier League home defeat by Chelsea on Oct 18, which left the club with the prospect of a relegation battle.

A statement from the club, released 20 minutes after full-time, read: “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 lasted just eight games over 39 days. According to the BBC, it is the second-shortest in Premier League history, following Sam Allardyce’s 30 days in charge of Leeds United in 2023.

The Australian’s departure means Forest will be seeking their third manager this season, having axed Nuno Espirito Santo just three games into the campaign.

The BBC reported that Fulham manager Marco Silva is understood to be a key target, while former Burnley and Everton boss Sean Dyche is another candidate.

Postecoglou is the first Forest manager to fail to win any of his first eight games in charge of the Midlands side, and the writing was on the wall at 2-0 when club owner Evangelos Marinakis left his seat in the stands.

It could have been a different story, but Chelsea survived a sloppy first-half performance before turning the screw to claim victory.

Josh Acheampong, 19, headed the visitors ahead early in the second half before Pedro Neto curled home from a free kick, totally changing the complexion of the match.

“We’ve always found it tough after the international break, so it’s great to win,” said Chelsea captain Reece James, who scored the third goal at the City Ground.

“In the second half, we came alive and got the three points. Forest made it tough for us, but as the game went on we got into our rhythm.

“(Acheampong) is showing the world how good he is and what he’s capable of. He’s an amazing boy and an amazing player. Long may it continue.”

Forest, who started the day just one point above the relegation zone, had a series of chances to take the lead in the first half, thanks largely to a sloppy defensive display by Chelsea.

But they failed to capitalise and Enzo Maresca’s men grew stronger as the match wore on.

Chelsea were without a long list of first-team players, including Cole Palmer, Benoit Badiashile and Enzo Fernandez, while Moises Caicedo started the game on the bench.

The Blues had an opportunity to take the lead shortly before half-time but Andrey Santos skewed his shot narrowly wide after Joao Pedro flicked the ball over the top, leaving Maresca with his head in his hands.

Maresca made a triple change at the break, bringing on Caicedo, Jamie Gittens and Marc Guiu and it reaped early rewards. They took the lead when Neto sent in an inviting cross for Acheampong, who headed home for his first senior goal in the 49th minute.

Three minutes later, Chelsea doubled their lead when Neto curled his free kick around the wall of red shirts.

James scored late to make it 3-0 on his 200th appearance for the club.

Malo Gusto was then sent off in the 87th minute in the latest display of ill discipline from Chelsea, but victory gave them 14 points from eight games and sealed Postecoglou’s fate.

Meanwhile, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland kept up his torrid scoring pace with two goals in the second half on Oct 18 to lift City provisionally top of the table with a 2-0 home victory over Everton.

Pep Guardiola’s men have 16 points after eight games, before Arsenal visit Fulham in the late match and Liverpool host Manchester United on Oct 19.
AFP, REUTERS