What Ange Postecoglou told Nottingham Forest players right before he was sacked

Ange Postecoglou has been sacked by Nottingham Forest, immediately after the Tricky Trees suffered yet another humbling defeat at home to Chelsea, with the Australian giving his squad a clear message just before Evangelos Marinakis finally pulled the plug.

Ange Postecoglou fired after dismal Nottingham Forest stint

Just months after the 60-year-old guided Tottenham to their first major trophy in 17 years, Postecoglou has now become the shortest-reigning manager in Premier League history – breaking Les Reed’s record – who was let go by Charlton after 41 days in 2006.

Pressure was firmly on Postecoglou heading into their clash with Chelsea this afternoon, but his players ultimately couldn’t rescue the tactician from Marinakis’ swinging axe.

Goals from Josh Acheampong, Pedro Neto and Reece James secured all three points for Enzo Maresca’s side, who ended the game with 10 men thanks to Malo Gusto’s sending off, but it is safe to say the writing has been on the wall for Postecoglou.

In what turned out to be his final pre-match press conference at Forest, the former Celtic boss launched a defiant defence of his career — perhaps knowing that defeat today would spell the end of his time at the City Ground.

🗣️ Strong words from Ange Postecoglou on his Forest future.

"I guess from my perspective I just don't fit, not here, just in general. If you look at things through the prism that I am a failed manager who is lucky to get this job, I know you're smirking at me, but that's what's… pic.twitter.com/A9eXIDjLSl

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) October 17, 2025

Brought in to help transition Forest into an open, attacking and expansive side playing attractive football, Postecoglou’s short-reign was a nightmare for all involved.

His departure from Forest today marks the end of a turbulent chapter that many had anticipated from the start.

In terms of who could replace the now-fired Postecoglou, it is believed that a host of managers have been considered by Forest — including Sean Dyche, Oliver Glasner, Marco Silva, Steve Cooper and Rafael Benitez.

As attention turns to Postecoglou’s replacement, BBC reporter Nizaar Kinsella has revealed what the coach said to his Forest players right before he was dismissed.

What Ange Postecoglou told his Nottingham Forest players right before sacking

Taking to X, Kinsella suggests that Postecoglou knew he was about to be handed his P45 — simply stating “goodbye” to the dressing room prior to Forest’s official announcement.

Ange Postecoglou has been sacked. He said goodbye to the players in the dressing room.

— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) October 18, 2025

While some of Postecoglou’s credentials were impressive, his appointment always felt like a gamble that ultimately didn’t pay off.

He guided Spurs to a fifth-placed finish in his debut campaign at the North London club, in their first season without Harry Kane, and actually made the best start of any new Premier League manager in history at the time.

However, injuries dampened his second term, with the Lilywhites finishing a lowly 17th in the table.

Their triumph in Europe helped to mask Tottenham’s abysmal Premier League form, but there was no hiding for Postecoglou this time around.

Postecoglou’s attack-minded philosophy, while exciting, demanded a level of tactical understanding that required much more time to implement — especially given Nuno Espírito Santo’s contrasting style by comparison.

However, football is a results business, and their overall performances simply weren’t good enough to justify Postecoglou remaining any longer.

Now, the managerial search begins for Marinakis yet again, and he cannot afford to get the next appointment wrong.