Nottingham Forest have sacked manager Ange Postecoglou just 20 minutes after their 3-0 loss to Chelsea in Saturday’s Premier League clash, according to a BBC report.
The heavy home defeat at The City Ground left Forest in 17th place, hovering dangerously above the relegation zone. Postecoglou, who joined the Midlands club earlier in the season, became the first manager in Forest’s history to go winless in his opening eight matches in charge.
Tensions were apparent long before the final whistle. Club owner Evangelos Marinakis reportedly walked out of his seat after Chelsea’s second goal, signalling an impending managerial change. By full-time, boos echoed through the stands as Postecoglou stood alone near the centre circle, applauding the few fans who remained.
Chelsea’s Pedro Neto starred for the visitors, recording a goal and an assist within three minutes. Despite being reduced to 10 men following Malo Gusto’s red card, Enzo Maresca’s side held firm defensively, securing a clean sheet and climbing to fourth place on the league table.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Maresca expressed sympathy for his counterpart: “I feel very sorry; it’s always a shame. Unfortunately, it’s a business where you need to win games. Otherwise, for all of us, it’s the same consequences.”