Nottingham Forest’s Europa League campaign took another dramatic turn on October 2, 2025, as they fell 3-2 at home to FC Midtjylland in a match brimming with controversy, frustration, and growing uncertainty surrounding the future of head coach Ange Postecoglou. The defeat, Forest’s fourth in six matches under Postecoglou, triggered a wave of discontent among the City Ground faithful and has placed the Australian manager’s short tenure in serious jeopardy just 24 days after his appointment. With a pivotal Premier League clash against Newcastle United looming, the club stands at a crossroads, caught between ambitious summer investment and a winless streak that refuses to break.
Forest’s grievances after the Midtjylland loss extended well beyond the scoreline. The club formally lodged a complaint to UEFA, taking direct aim at the standard of officiating by French referee Willy Delajod. The Forest hierarchy and supporters alike were left seething over what they perceived as inconsistent and disruptive refereeing. Delajod booked only one Midtjylland player—wing-back Kevin Mbabu—despite the Danish side’s physical approach, while cautioning three Forest players: Morato, Igor Jesus, and Morgan Gibbs-White. A particularly contentious moment arrived early in the match when Denil Castillo’s rough challenge on Forest’s Elliot Anderson resulted in nothing more than a warning, further fueling the sense of injustice among the home crowd.
The officiating’s stop-start nature, Forest officials argued, stymied their attempts to build momentum and ultimately contributed to their inability to seize control of the contest. As frustration mounted, the City Ground atmosphere soured, with supporters venting their anger directly at Postecoglou. Chants of "you’re getting sacked in the morning" echoed through the stands, accompanied by calls for the return of former manager Nuno Espírito Santo—himself dismissed only a month prior and now at the helm of West Ham.
Behind the scenes, owner Evangelos Marinakis is said to be seriously concerned by both results and performances. According to club sources, Marinakis, who has a reputation for decisive action but also a preference for stability, is weighing his options carefully. The Greek billionaire has previously shown a ruthless streak, having ended Carlos Corberán’s time at Olympiacos after just 11 matches in 2022, but he is reportedly reluctant to make another managerial change so soon after the departures of Steve Cooper and Nuno Espírito Santo, who together guided Forest for four years.
Yet the numbers do not lie. Since Postecoglou’s arrival, Forest have failed to secure a single victory in six outings, losing four. The team has also not managed a clean sheet since April 1, 2025, when they defeated Manchester United in the Premier League. Forest’s defensive frailties have been compounded by injuries to key players: defender Ola Aina picked up a knock during the international break shortly after Postecoglou’s appointment, and Brazilian center-back Murillo has managed only 65 minutes on the pitch due to his own fitness struggles.
These setbacks have come despite a summer of heavy investment, with Forest spending around £200 million on new signings in a bid to strengthen their squad for both the Europa League and domestic competitions. The expectation was clear: Forest were to challenge for honors, not languish in mediocrity. However, adapting to Postecoglou’s possession-based style has proved challenging. There have been flashes of promise—particularly in the first half against Real Betis and in matches versus Burnley and Sunderland—but consistency has been elusive, and the chaotic display against Midtjylland has only intensified the scrutiny on the 60-year-old coach.
Postecoglou, for his part, remains outwardly unflappable. Speaking ahead of the crucial trip to Newcastle, he addressed the mounting speculation over his future with characteristic candor. "It’s a valid assumption in modern football that there is always a manager that is under pressure. That’s just part and parcel of what we do, but I don’t think that way," he explained. "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. It doesn’t enter my head. 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."
While Postecoglou attempts to maintain focus on the pitch, the internal debate over his future continues. Marinakis, along with chief football officer Ross Wilson and global head of football Edu Gaspar, will ultimately decide whether to stick with the Australian or seek yet another new direction. The timing of the current international break—set to follow Sunday’s trip to St James’ Park—offers a natural window for reflection and, potentially, change. If Forest’s winless run extends against Newcastle, Postecoglou could find himself with the unwanted distinction of the shortest-ever Premier League reign.
Forest’s struggles have not been solely down to bad luck or refereeing, though both have played their part. The team’s inability to keep clean sheets, integrate costly new arrivals, and adapt to a new tactical approach have all contributed to their current predicament. Postecoglou has cited a disrupted schedule and limited training time as mitigating factors, but with a daunting run of fixtures on the horizon—including tests against Chelsea, Porto, Bournemouth, and Manchester United after the break—the pressure is only set to intensify.
Despite the swirling uncertainty, Forest’s leadership insists they remain fully focused on the upcoming Newcastle match and determined to support their manager. The hope, both in the boardroom and among the more patient fans, is that the club’s significant investment and flashes of quality can soon translate into tangible results. Yet the mood at the City Ground is undeniably tense, with every decision, substitution, and refereeing call now magnified by the specter of another managerial upheaval.
As the international break approaches, all eyes will be on St James’ Park this Sunday. Will Forest finally break their winless streak and offer Postecoglou a lifeline, or will another defeat force Marinakis’s hand and usher in yet more change at a club desperate for stability? For now, the only certainty is that the next chapter in Forest’s turbulent season is just around the corner—one way or another, something’s got to give.