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Replacing a team hero was always going to be a challenging task, but Nuno Espírito Santo succeeded to achieve a smart move after the former coach’s exit: securing victories in his first two matches. A great deal is forgotten about the first six months of Nuno’s time in charge, when the squad stayed up just one place above the relegation zone and went through a stretch of winning only one time in 10 top-flight games.

Nuno had accomplished the crucial job of boosting morale and gaining the backing of the fans by beating Newcastle away and generating excitement by beating Manchester United at their own ground, and nobody was calling for style points. The City Ground was rocking in the end of 2023, and home fans did not mind that they saw only two more wins there for the remainder of the campaign.

Nottingham Forest fans demand the manager dismissal after less than a month following European defeat.

Ange Postecoglou is yet to taste success, making him the initial Forest manager in a hundred years to fail to secure a victory in any of their opening half-dozen fixtures. There was a toxic mood at the City Ground on the recent matchday as they succumbed to the second-best team in Denmark. When fans are calling for your sacking after 23 days, it is fair to say the situation are not progressing smoothly. On Friday there were no intentions to fire Postecoglou but a defeat at Newcastle on Sunday could cost him his job.

All those at the organization understood there would be a phase of transition because the Australian’s tactical approach is almost a polar opposite to the one his predecessor finely tuned there. The strategy was evolving under the former coach but not at the speed Postecoglou is attempting to implement.

Beginning with four away games was consistently going to be a difficult challenge for Postecoglou. Opening at Arsenal meant building momentum from the first whistle was unlikely but losing at a Championship team in the domestic cup and drawing at another opponent put him on the defensive. The game at a Spanish club seemed to be a turning point because the showing was impressive and fitting with anticipations regarding Postecoglou’s style. The processes were correct and, but for a late Antony goal, takeoff would have begun.

Instead Forest remain grounded. If Postecoglou could have been forgiven for the performances on the road, losing at home to a visiting team and Midtjylland was never part of the plan. There was a element of explanation in the first home defeat: a soft set-piece award that led to the decisive goal and appalling finishing from Forest meant the points went away to the north-east. Forest had nearly two-thirds of possession and multiple attempts but beating an opponent on xG is irrelevant.

The manager and a key player will want to turn the team’s results around at the next venue on the upcoming matchday.

There was a belief that once the strikers found form, all aspects would be fine but ineffective finishing is only one of the issues facing Postecoglou. The robust defensive unit built by Nuno has been dismantled, leaving Postecoglou still waiting for a clean sheet. Defending dead-ball situations has been an issue, a pair of Midtjylland’s goals originating from them, and the remaining goal Forest conceded was from a fast break, the type that were a regular occurrence during Postecoglou’s time at Tottenham.

Postecoglou was keen to get back to work promptly after being sacked by his previous employers, particularly with a Europa League honor around his neck. He wanted to prove people wrong and Forest offered that chance, with the extra incentive of being in the tournament he had triumphed in in May. The Greek link with Forest’s owner, the club’s chief, helped make the appointment straightforward and the manager, despite his detractors, does have the qualifications required – but practicality was unlikely to be part of the equation.

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The former manager was not fired for sporting causes but for picking a dispute with Marinakis that he was not going to win. Ending up seventh and taking Forest into Europe made him incredibly popular. Despite his gripes, a team capable of ending in the top half was assembled and a lot of funds was invested. After excessive immediate thinking at Forest, they had a defined future plan and strategy, which included a squad that fit Nuno. Now it feels as if a stepdad has entered the house and the children are displeased.

Trips to one opponent and Bournemouth bookend the home game of a top team in the next three league games, implying the situation is only going to get harder. The owner made the appointment with his emotions and is desperately hoping to prevent another sacking because removing the manager would be an admission that he made two dreadful decisions in letting go of Nuno and selecting the successor. The sport is one big public approval competition and Nuno started gaining his at St James’ Park. Postecoglou needs to do the same or he faces the possibility of forfeiting his for good.