Postecoglou bullish on Forest future amid growing pressure

Ange Postecoglou recalled his Europa League success at Tottenham as he outlined his plans to turn around a drab start to life with Nottingham Forest.

The Australian's future at the City Ground is in doubt less than a month into his tenure, though reports suggest he has the backing of the Forest board before Sunday's trip to Newcastle United.

A 3-2 defeat to Midtjylland in Thursday's Europa League clash only heightened the pressure on Postecoglou, with sections of the Forest support calling for his exit.

Postecoglou is the first Forest manager for 100 years to fail to win any of his first six games in charge of the club (D2 L4), since John Baynes failed to win any of his first seven games way back in 1925.

His side have also conceded more goals than any other Premier League side in all competitions (13) since Postecoglou first took charge, following the unpopular sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo.

The 60-year-old claims his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis is not yet strained, though he may be acutely aware of how quickly the Forest owner dismissed Nuno just last month.

"I didn't catch up with him, it's fair to say we weren't both in the mood," said Postecoglou on Friday.

"I caught up with him after the Sunderland game, though. He wants his team to win. His only comment to me was, 'How can we help you?'

"He asked if I needed anything, did I need any other support? I don't expect him to be happy about the current situation, but neither am I. Both from the owner and people connected, all they have said is, 'How can we help?'

"The reality is there is very little they can do; it is in my hands. I'm responsible for changing the club's fortunes."

Forest have won none of their first three Premier League games under Postecoglou (D1 L2), with Andy Beattie in 1960 the last permanent Forest manager to win none of his first four in the league (first eight).

The former Celtic boss has lost 11 of his last 15 Premier League games overall (W1 D3), and turning that run around at Newcastle could be a difficult task.

Postecoglou won his first Premier League meeting with Newcastle in December 2023, but he has lost his last three by an aggregate score of 8-2.

Regardless of the pressure, Postecoglou believes his experience in guiding Spurs to the Europa League trophy last season shows how he copes when things get tough.

"It doesn't enter my head," he added. "My responsibility lies in making sure this football club progresses and gets to a position where it can challenge for things.

"If I start putting timelines to that or worry about what is going to happen next week, then I am not performing the role I have been given.

"I just don't think it is helpful to anyone. At the end of the day, I have to concentrate on the environment, the training, the way we play, and, as I said last night, I am still very, very strong in my belief that we are not too far away.

"Put it this way; I knew I was getting sacked at Tottenham about three or four months before I did, but that didn't stop me from winning something."