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Replacing a club icon was consistently going to be a challenging assignment, but the previous manager managed to achieve a shrewd strategy after Steve Cooper’s exit: securing victories in his first two fixtures. A great deal is overlooked about the first six months of Nuno’s time in charge, when the squad survived just one position above the relegation zone and went through a stretch of winning only one time in 10 top-flight matches.

The former boss had accomplished the crucial job of raising team spirit and gaining the backing of the supporters by beating an opponent away and creating excitement by overcoming a major rival at home, and nobody was demanding style points. The home stadium was rocking in late December 2023, and local supporters did not mind that they witnessed only another two victories there for the remainder of the season.

Nottingham Forest fans call for Postecoglou dismissal after 23 days following continental loss.

Ange Postecoglou is still waiting to taste success, making him the first Forest head coach in a hundred years to fail to win any of their first six fixtures. There was a poisonous atmosphere at the City Ground 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 going well. On Friday there were no intentions to dismiss the manager but a loss at St James’ Park on the weekend could cost him his position.

Everyone at the club understood there would be a period of change because the new manager’s tactical approach is virtually a complete contrast to the one Nuno finely tuned there. The strategy was developing under the former coach but not at the speed the new boss is trying to implement.

Beginning with four away games was always going to be a difficult ask for Postecoglou. Opening at a top side meant building momentum from the outset was improbable but losing at a Championship team in the Carabao Cup and tying at another opponent put Postecoglou on the defensive. The match at a Spanish club seemed to be a positive shift because the performance was impressive and in line with expectations regarding the manager’s philosophy. The methods were sound and, but for a last-minute Antony goal, takeoff would have commenced.

However Forest are still grounded. If Postecoglou could have been forgiven for the away results, losing at home to a visiting team and a European side was never part of the thinking. There was a degree of mitigation in the first City Ground loss: a generous set-piece decision that resulted in the decisive goal and appalling finishing from Forest meant the result went back to the opposing team. Forest had almost two-thirds of possession and 22 shots but outscoring an rival on expected goals is irrelevant.

Ange Postecoglou and Neco Williams will aim to turn the team’s results around at Newcastle on Sunday.

There was a hope that once the strikers regained form, all aspects would be fine but poor conversion is only one of the issues confronting Postecoglou. The solid backline built by the previous manager has been taken apart, leaving him still waiting for a shutout. Stopping set pieces has been problematic, two of the opponent’s goals originating from them, and the other goal Forest conceded was from a fast break, the sort that were a common feature during Postecoglou’s time at his former club.

The coach was keen to get back to management promptly after being sacked by his previous employers, especially with a European winner’s medal around his neck. He wanted to prove people wrong and Forest presented that chance, with the extra incentive of being in the tournament he had won in May. The Greek link with Forest’s proprietor, the club’s chief, facilitated make the appointment smooth and Postecoglou, despite his detractors, does have the qualifications necessary – but practicality was unlikely to be involved.

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The former manager was not fired for football causes but for initiating a fight with Marinakis that he was not going to prevail in. Finishing seventh and guiding Forest into continental competition made Nuno extremely beloved. In spite of his gripes, a team capable of finishing in the top half was assembled and plenty of money was spent. After excessive short-termism at Forest, they had a clear future plan and strategy, which featured a team that suited the previous boss. Now it feels as if a stepdad has entered the home and the children are not happy.

Visits to Newcastle and Bournemouth bookend the home game of Chelsea in the upcoming trio of league fixtures, implying the situation is only going to get more difficult. Marinakis made the selection with his emotions and is urgently wishing to prevent another sacking because removing Postecoglou would be an acknowledgment that he made two dreadful choices in letting go of Nuno and choosing the successor. Football is one big popularity competition and the ex-boss began gaining his at the away ground. Postecoglou needs to emulate that or he faces the possibility of forfeiting his for good.