Pressure Won't Enter My Head, Says Confident Postecoglou
Nottingham Forest head coach Ange Postecoglou maintains that external scrutiny regarding his position will not influence his approach.
The club is winless in his initial half-dozen matches since the coach took over from Nuno Espirito Santo at the City Ground.
A group of Forest supporters chanted, "you're getting sacked in the morning", at the ex- Tottenham and Celtic manager following the recent 3-2 European defeat at home to the Danish side.
The Manager's Reaction to Criticism
Postecoglou, however, stated that the Europa League title he secured at Tottenham last season, prior to being dismissed in the summer, was evidence he does not let pressure to affect his coaching.
"I don't think about it," he added. "My duty lies in making sure this football club progresses and reaches a level where it can compete for things," stated Postecoglou.
"Should I begin putting timelines to that or worry about what is going to happen next week then I am not performing the position I have been given.
"I just don't think it is beneficial to anyone. Ultimately, I have to focus on the environment, the training, the way we play, and as I said recently, I am still very, very strong in my conviction that we are not too far away.
"To explain - I knew I was being dismissed at Tottenham about three or four months before I was, but that didn't stop me from winning something."
Career Background
The veteran coach joined Spurs from Celtic in 2023 and fans at first embraced the Australian for his attacking style of play, with the London club finishing 5th in the Premier League during his first season.
Postecoglou's second term was more difficult as Spurs finished 17th in the standings. He did, however, guide the team to their first trophy in 17 years as they defeated Manchester United in the European championship match.
Present Situation
Forest travel to Newcastle United on the weekend (14:00 BST).
Amid the poor run of results, there is little doubt it has been a challenging beginning for Postecoglou.
And the numbers illustrate just how disappointing Forest have been since his appointment.
Statistical Analysis
- In Postecoglou's six matches, they have lost four times across three different competitions
- No Premier League team has lost as numerous games as Forest since his appointment
- They have conceded thirteen scores - at a average of 2.17 per game
- Only Manchester United and Burnley have a worse defensive per game record than Forest since Postecoglou's appointment
- Unexpectedly, it is the 35th occurrence in which a top-flight manager has not secured a victory in any of first six matches in all competitions
Record Context
Paul Jewell holds the unenviable mark, having not won any of his first 27 games as Derby County manager in the 2007-2008 campaign.
Nuno was dismissed after just three fixtures of this season when Forest were tenth in the standings. They are currently 17th, having drawn one and been defeated twice of their three league matches under Postecoglou.
He is the initial full-time Forest coach in a century not to secure a victory in any of initial six fixtures.
Supporter Viewpoint
This season could have been one of Nottingham Forest's finest in recent times. Entry into Europe for the first time in three decades, the best squad this century and all involved pulling in the same direction.
Somehow, at least for now, that has all gone out of the window. Nuno has departed, performances have been abject and on the recent evening the City Ground criticized the new manager Ange Postecoglou after just six matches.
However it's very much characteristic Forest, a team that shifts from achievement to self-made disaster like a learner driver who fails to remain in a traffic line.
Upcoming Fixtures
With games against Newcastle, Chelsea, the Portuguese side, the Cherries and the Red Devils approaching, it's quite difficult to say whether he can reverse the situation before it becomes increasingly toxic.
But ask any fan and they'll tell you the same, it's never dull at Nottingham Forest.
