Nottingham Forest fans made their feelings clear about their new manager, Ange Postecoglou, during and after their recent Europa League match against FC Midtjylland. The match, which Forest lost 3-2, has extended the team's winless streak to six games under Postecoglou. This poor run of form has quickly turned the fans against the Australian manager.
During the game, as the away team celebrated their third goal, a significant portion of the City Ground faithful responded with chants of "You're getting sacked in the morning". This chant, usually reserved for away team managers, was instead directed at their own, indicating a swift decline in support for Postecoglou. Adding insult to injury, some fans also chanted the name of his predecessor, Nuno Espírito Santo. Postecoglou replaced Espirito Santo just 23 days prior, a decision that has already come under intense scrutiny.
TNT Sports commentator Darren Fletcher acknowledged the negativity, stating, "I tell you what has just been sung around the City Ground if you didn't catch it, the Forest fans are singing 'you are going to get sacked in the morning'". He further noted the overall atmosphere at the City Ground has shifted dramatically, saying, "It's a football club that had such a good feel factor to it last season and now it feels splintered".
Postecoglou, when questioned about the chants, offered a pragmatic response: "Yeah I heard it. They're fans, they want to see their team win and they're entitled to their opinion. Nothing surprises me in football anymore". He also acknowledged the team's struggles, stating, "Really disappointing... Really, really poor goals we conceded in the first half that, again, allowed the opposition to get comfortable in the game... It's been the story of our last few games. Key moments we just let ourselves down... We just haven't shown the same desire and determination as the opposition".
The defeat to FC Midtjylland was particularly disappointing, especially since it was Forest's first home European clash since 1980. Everything was set for a triumphant return, including pyrotechnics, a sold-out crowd, and a tifo depicting Postecoglou at the wheel of a Forest campervan with the words "For a new generation our time has come". However, the team failed to deliver, compounding the fans' frustration.
The rapid change in sentiment towards Postecoglou is notable, considering the initial optimism surrounding his appointment. He is the first Forest manager in 100 years to fail to win any of his first six matches. While Postecoglou maintains a positive outlook, stating, "I really believe that we're on the right track and when we get through this period of uncertainty that we'll be on a good path," the pressure is mounting.
Nottingham Forest currently sits in 17th place in the Premier League. Postecoglou's immediate challenge is to turn the team's form around and secure their second victory of the campaign. With upcoming matches against Newcastle United and Chelsea, the Australian manager faces a critical period to regain the support of the fans and secure his position at the club.
Prior to joining Nottingham Forest, Postecoglou managed Tottenham Hotspur, where he won the UEFA Europa League in 2025. Despite this achievement, he was dismissed from his position due to a poor domestic performance.
