Chaos! Gone in 19 minutes

When Nottingham Forest unveiled Ange Postecoglou, owner Evangelos Marinakis hailed him as the man to take the club to the next level.

“We are bringing a coach to the Club who has a proven and consistent record of winning trophies,” Marinakis said. “His experience of coaching teams at the highest level, along with his desire to build something special with us at Forest, makes him a fantastic person to help us on our journey and achieve consistently all our ambitions.”

“After gaining promotion to the Premier League, then building consistently season after season to secure European football, we now must take the right step to compete with the very best and challenge for trophies. Ange has the credentials and the track-record to do this, and we are excited he is joining us on our ambitious journey.”

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But that journey came to a crashing halt on Saturday just 19 minutes after fulltime, Forest confirmed Postecoglou’s departure following a 3–0 home defeat to Chelsea. It was his sixth loss in eight matches, leaving the club in 17th place, one point above the drop zone and carrying the joint-worst goal difference in the league.

Marinakis walked out of the directors’ box before the final whistle. Postecoglou, visibly broken, clapped toward the fans, staring into space, the end of a reign that lasted just 39 days, the second-shortest in Premier League history.

WHAT PLAYERS AND MANAGERS SAID?

Ryan Yates, speaking after the match, revealed what unfolded during the 19 minutes of chaos in the dressing room. He described the mood as “flat” and admitted the players “felt they let the manager down.”

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca expressed sympathy for Postecoglou but said the decision was no surprise, calling it typical of the pressures at the top level of modern football.

WHO IS ON MARINAKIS LIST?

The search for a new head coach is already underway. Marco Silva has emerged as a strong contender, despite ongoing talks with Sean Dyche. Silva, speaking to TNT Sports after the Chelsea game, didn’t rule out a move, saying he was “open to conversations.”

Marinakis is reportedly weighing up multiple options, but urgency is key. Forest finished seventh last season, a high watermark that now feels distant. Whoever comes in must arrest the slide and reignite belief at the City Ground.

SACK RACE RECORD

Only Sam Allardyce’s ill-fated Leeds spell was shorter. He managed four games, lost three, drew one, and left when his contract expired in June 2023. Postecoglou’s stats are strangely similar except his side managed just one goal in five matches, a feat not seen since Sean Dyche’s early days at Burnley in 2014.

Postecoglou arrived with pedigree but leaves with a record that reads: five Premier League games, four losses, one goal scored. His 0.2 points-per-match average ties him with Allardyce and ranks among the lowest in the competition’s 33-year history, only Frank de Boer fared worse, with zero points in four games at Crystal Palace.

Premier League’s Fastest Sackings

Sam Allardyce – Leeds United (30 days)

Brought in for a last-ditch survival bid in May 2023. One point from four games. Relegated. Gone.

Les Reed – Charlton Athletic (40 days)

Four points from seven games and a League Cup exit to Wycombe. Sacked on Christmas Eve.

Javi Gracia – Leeds United (69 days)

Three wins in 12 games. Replaced by Allardyce as Leeds spiraled.

Rene Meulensteen – Fulham (75 days)

Lost 9 of 13. Took over in December, gone before March.

Frank de Boer – Crystal Palace (77 days)

Four games, zero goals, zero points. Shortest reign by games managed.

Bob Bradley – Swansea City (85 days)

Eight points from 11 games. Sacked after Christmas.

Quique Sánchez Flores – Watford (85 days)

Second stint lasted just 12 games. Two wins. No spark.

Nathan Jones – Southampton (84 days)

Nine defeats in 14. Another failed move away from Luton.