The Premier League never sleeps — and Nottingham Forest’s latest managerial saga has once again lit up the football world. In a stunning twist, Ange Postecoglou has finally broken his silence after being sacked by Forest just 39 days into his job, sending a direct and shocking message to club owner Evangelos Marinakis that has fans and pundits talking everywhere.
From Dream Appointment to Nightmare Ending
When Nottingham Forest announced the appointment of Ange Postecoglou on 9 September 2025, the fanbase was buzzing. The Australian tactician had just come off a memorable spell with Tottenham Hotspur, where his attacking football and fearless philosophy made him a cult hero. Many believed Marinakis had pulled off a masterstroke.
But what was meant to be a new dawn quickly turned into chaos.
Forest’s form nosedived almost immediately. Eight games, six losses, and two draws — zero wins. The team looked disjointed, the defence fragile, and the confidence drained. Saturday’s 3–0 defeat to Chelsea at the City Ground was the final straw. Cameras caught Marinakis visibly furious, leaving the directors’ box before full time. Within twenty minutes of the final whistle, Postecoglou was informed that his tenure was over.
According to The Guardian, it was one of the swiftest managerial dismissals in Premier League history — and one that “left the dressing room in shock.”
What Ange Postecoglou Said About Nottingham Forest and Evangelos Marinakis
In his first public reaction since the sacking, Postecoglou released a statement through his representatives that pulled no punches. While he avoided direct insults, the tone was unmistakably sharp and emotional.
> “I walked into Nottingham Forest with passion and belief,” he said. “I knew the task was enormous, but I didn’t expect it to end before it even began. Football needs patience, and success doesn’t happen overnight. Unfortunately, not everyone shares that vision.”
He went on to subtly criticise the club’s leadership, saying:
> “I respect Evangelos Marinakis for his ambition, but football decisions should be driven by long-term conviction, not by emotion. If we had stayed the course, this club would be competing, not panicking.”
In perhaps the most striking part of his message, he added:
> “You can’t build culture in weeks. You can’t change a team in a month. I’ve done this in Japan, Scotland and England — and every time, patience brought reward. Nottingham Forest could have been another success story.”
Those words — “success doesn’t happen overnight” — have since gone viral among fans, with many agreeing that Postecoglou was handed an impossible task.
The Dramatic Scenes at Full Time
Eyewitnesses and press reports from TalkSport and Sky Sports describe a chaotic post-match atmosphere at the City Ground. After Chelsea’s third goal, Marinakis was seen shaking his head before leaving his seat.
By the time Postecoglou reached the tunnel, rumours were already circulating that his job was gone. Inside the dressing room, players were reportedly “shell-shocked” as staff members informed them of the decision.
Captain Ryan Yates later told Reuters,
> “We, the players, have to take responsibility too. The manager didn’t even get a transfer window. It’s harsh — brutally harsh.”
What Went Wrong for Postecoglou at Forest?
There wasn’t just one problem — it was a perfect storm of bad timing, tactical mismatch, and impatience from above.
1. No Pre-season, No Transfers
Postecoglou arrived after the transfer window had closed, inheriting a squad built for defensive football. His philosophy — attacking from the back with relentless pressing — simply didn’t fit the available players.
2. Lack of Time
His predecessors were sacked quickly, and Forest’s board expected instant results. But Postecoglou’s system, famously complex, requires months to perfect.
3. Owner Pressure
Evangelos Marinakis has long been known for his passionate, hands-on style of management. He wants results fast — sometimes too fast. Sources close to the club told The Guardian that the Greek owner was already questioning Postecoglou’s tactics after the third game.
4. Dressing Room Fatigue
Players reportedly struggled to adapt to Postecoglou’s high-intensity sessions. Some insiders said the shift from a reactive to proactive system “confused” parts of the squad.
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The Message Behind His Silence
For nearly 24 hours after the sacking, Postecoglou remained quiet — unusual for a coach known for his charisma and directness. When his statement finally arrived, it read more like a manifesto than a farewell.
The key message?
That football management has become too ruthless, too impatient, too obsessed with instant gratification.
His subtle rebuke of Marinakis wasn’t just personal — it was philosophical. Postecoglou’s entire career has been built on long-term vision. From Melbourne Victory to Yokohama F. Marinos to Celtic and Spurs, he’s shown that his teams blossom with time.
> “If you don’t trust the process, you’ll never see the results,” he concluded — a sentence that fans have already begun quoting in tribute.
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Marinakis’ Reaction
So how did Marinakis respond? The Greek businessman, known for his fiery personality, didn’t hold back either. In a statement issued through Forest’s press office, he said:
> “We thank Ange for his efforts but results speak for themselves. Nottingham Forest is a club of ambition. We cannot accept complacency or excuses.”
That line — “we cannot accept excuses” — is seen by many as a direct response to Postecoglou’s criticism. Yet, fans remain divided: some back Marinakis’ decisive approach, while others feel the club is trapped in a cycle of chaos.
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What Happens Next for Both Sides?
Postecoglou’s next move will be watched closely. Reports from Fox Sports Australia suggest that several Asian clubs, including his former side Yokohama F. Marinos, are monitoring the situation.
As for Nottingham Forest, the search for yet another manager is underway. Names like Sean Dyche, Roberto Mancini, and David Moyes have been linked. Whoever steps in will inherit a fractured dressing room and a frustrated fanbase — not to mention an owner impatient for redemption.
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The Bigger Picture
Beyond the headlines and soundbites, this saga raises serious questions about modern football’s culture. How can a manager truly transform a team in just a few weeks? How can any vision survive when one bad month equals unemployment?
Postecoglou’s case highlights the growing gap between football’s ideals and its business reality. His message to Marinakis — part warning, part farewell — may resonate long after the dust settles.
> “Trust takes time. Without it, even good ideas die early.”
Those words sum up the tragedy of Ange Postecoglou’s short-lived Nottingham Forest story — a story of hope, impatience, and one man’s refusal to compromise his footballing soul.
In the end, Postecoglou didn’t just lose his job. He made a statement — one that cuts deep into the heart of modern football.
And as Nottingham Forest scramble for yet another new start, the football world is left asking: was it really Ange’s fault… or the club’s?
