The pressure is mounting at Nottingham Forest as the club enters a pivotal stretch of the season, with speculation swirling around the future of manager Ange Postecoglou and whispers of a potential Rafael Benitez return to Premier League sidelines. After a winless start to life at the City Ground, Forest’s hierarchy is reportedly weighing its options, and the upcoming clash against Chelsea could prove decisive for the Australian coach’s tenure.
Forest’s struggles have been well-documented. Since Postecoglou’s appointment, the team has failed to register a single victory in his first seven games at the helm, leaving them languishing in 17th place in the Premier League table as of October 11, 2025. That’s just one precarious point above the dreaded relegation zone—a far cry from the optimism that greeted his arrival. The loss to Midtjylland in the Europa League only intensified the scrutiny, with fans at the City Ground making their discontent clear by singing for Postecoglou’s dismissal.
The club’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, is not known for his patience when it comes to managerial appointments, and sources close to Football Insider have revealed that Forest’s interest in Rafael Benitez is more than just idle chatter. It’s described as “concrete,” with Benitez now the leading contender should the club decide to pull the trigger on a managerial change. The 65-year-old Spaniard, out of work since his departure from Celta Vigo in March 2024, brings a wealth of Premier League experience, having previously led Liverpool, Newcastle, Everton, and Chelsea. His proven track record and tactical acumen reportedly make him an attractive option for Marinakis and the Forest board, especially as the club seeks stability in the midst of a turbulent campaign.
Yet, Benitez is not the only name on Forest’s radar. Fulham boss Marco Silva is also admired by Marinakis, but the prohibitive cost of compensation for an in-season move makes that option less feasible at present. As a result, the door remains open for Benitez to make a sensational return to English football—a prospect that would certainly catch the attention of fans across the league.
As if the managerial uncertainty weren’t enough, Forest’s squad has been beset by injuries, further complicating Postecoglou’s attempts to turn the tide. Key players like Ola Aina, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Douglas Luiz have spent time on the treatment table, while Murillo’s fitness has been a recurring concern. The injury woes have forced Postecoglou to shuffle his lineup constantly, making it difficult to establish any real consistency or momentum.
However, there’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon. During the ongoing international break, both Douglas Luiz and Murillo have been spotted stepping up their training at the club’s Wilford Lane facility. Luiz, a summer signing with high expectations, has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury against Real Betis on September 24. He has yet to make his City Ground debut, with his appearances so far limited to away fixtures in the Carabao Cup and league play, as well as a match in Spain. Postecoglou has been cautious with the Brazilian midfielder’s recovery, emphasizing the need for patience.
“With him, I think we have got to be really careful with how we use him in the early part of the year. He had a lot of issues last year at Juventus and came in late here. It’s nothing serious, we know that; it’s nothing significant. But with the international window around the corner, there might be an opportunity for us to really build him up because he’s such a good player and we saw that the other night. It doesn’t feel he’s at peak physical fitness. The international break might be a good little window for us to build him up to where we need him to be,” Postecoglou explained, according to NottinghamshireLive.
Murillo, meanwhile, has endured a stop-start beginning to his Forest career. After being substituted in the first half of a defeat at Arsenal on September 13, he returned to action for a brief 28-minute cameo in the Europa League against FC Midtjylland on October 2. Fans feared the worst when he limped off, but Postecoglou was quick to clarify that the latest setback was unrelated to his previous thigh injury. “He just fell awkwardly and hurt his back, it seemed like. I think it was the first header he went up for and he just couldn't move. It wasn't even related to the previous injury,” Postecoglou stated. Murillo was an unused substitute against Newcastle United last weekend, suggesting that a full return could be imminent if his progress continues.
For Forest supporters, these positive signs from the training ground offer a much-needed boost ahead of a crucial fixture. The Premier League returns after the international break, with Forest set to host Chelsea at the City Ground on Saturday, October 18, at 12:30pm. The match is shaping up to be a potential turning point—not just for the team’s fortunes, but for Postecoglou’s future in the dugout. The manager will be hoping that the return of key personnel can spark an upturn in results and silence the growing chorus of discontent.
Yet, the mood among the players reportedly remains tense. According to Football Insider, several Forest stars are unsettled by the ongoing uncertainty and the constant changes both on and off the pitch. It’s a situation that can quickly spiral if not addressed, and the club’s leadership knows that decisive action may be required to steady the ship.
As the Premier League table tightens and the threat of relegation looms, the stakes could hardly be higher. Forest’s fans, ever passionate and vocal, are desperate for something to cheer about. Whether that comes in the form of a long-awaited victory, the return of injured stars, or even a high-profile managerial change remains to be seen.
What is clear is that the next few weeks will be critical for Nottingham Forest. With a challenging fixture list ahead and the specter of change hanging over the City Ground, every match, every training session, and every decision will be scrutinized. Will Postecoglou weather the storm and lead Forest to safety, or will the allure of a Premier League return prove too tempting for Rafael Benitez to resist?
The answers will begin to unfold as Forest prepare to take the field against Chelsea. For now, the story remains one of uncertainty, determination, and hope—a familiar refrain in football, but one that never fails to captivate. All eyes are on the City Ground as the drama continues to build.
