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Replacing a club icon was always going to be a tough assignment, but the previous manager managed to achieve a smart strategy after the former coach’s departure: securing victories in his first two fixtures. Much is forgotten about the opening six months of his tenure, when the squad survived just one place above the relegation zone and endured a period of winning only once in 10 top-flight games.

The former boss had done the crucial task of raising morale and gaining the backing of the fans by beating an opponent away and generating enthusiasm by overcoming a major rival at their own ground, and no one was calling for style points. The home stadium was buzzing in late December 2023, and local supporters did not mind that they witnessed only two more victories there for the remainder of the campaign.

The club supporters call for the manager dismissal after 23 days following continental defeat.

Ange Postecoglou is yet to experience success, becoming the initial Forest manager in a hundred years to fail to secure a victory in any of their first six fixtures. There was a toxic atmosphere at the stadium on Thursday night as they succumbed to the second-best team in the Danish league. When fans are calling for your sacking after 23 days, it is fair to say the situation are not progressing smoothly. On Friday there were no intentions to fire the manager but a defeat at St James’ Park on Sunday could cost him his position.

All those at the club accepted there would be a phase of transition because the Australian’s tactical approach is almost a polar opposite to the one his predecessor carefully developed there. The strategy was developing under the Portuguese but not at the pace the new boss is attempting to implement.

Starting with four away games was always going to be a tough ask for Postecoglou. Opening at Arsenal meant generating momentum from the first whistle was unlikely but losing at Swansea in the domestic cup and tying at Burnley put him on the defensive. The match at Real Betis appeared to be a turning point because the showing was impressive and fitting with expectations regarding the manager’s style. The methods were correct and, but for a last-minute opposing player goal, takeoff would have commenced.

However Forest are still stuck. If the coach could have been excused for the performances on the road, falling at home to Sunderland and Midtjylland was not part of the plan. There was a degree of mitigation in the initial home loss: a soft free-kick award that resulted in the decisive goal and appalling finishing from Forest meant the result went back to the north-east. Forest had nearly the majority of the ball and multiple attempts but outscoring an opponent on expected goals is irrelevant.

Ange Postecoglou and Neco Williams will aim to reverse the team’s results around at Newcastle on the upcoming matchday.

There was a hope that when the forwards found form, everything would be resolved but ineffective finishing is only one of the problems confronting Postecoglou. The solid defensive unit built by Nuno has been dismantled, leaving him awaiting a clean sheet. Stopping set pieces has been problematic, two of the opponent’s goals originating from them, and the other goal Forest conceded was from a fast break, the sort that were a regular feature during his time at his former club.

The coach was keen to return to management promptly after being sacked by Tottenham, particularly with a Europa League winner’s medal around his neck. He wanted to prove people wrong and Forest offered that opportunity, with the extra incentive of being in the competition he had triumphed in in the spring. The Hellenic connection with Forest’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, facilitated make the appointment smooth and the manager, in spite of his detractors, does have the qualifications necessary – but practicality was unlikely to be part of the equation.

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Nuno was never fired for football causes but for picking a fight with the owner that he was never going to prevail in. Finishing in seventh place and guiding Forest into Europe made Nuno incredibly popular. Despite his gripes, a squad capable of finishing in the upper section was put together and a lot of funds was invested. After far too much immediate thinking at Forest, they had a defined long-term vision and strategy, which included a squad that fit Nuno. Now it seems as if a stepdad has entered the house and the residents are not happy.

Trips to one opponent and another rival frame the visit of a top team in the next three league fixtures, implying life is only going to get harder. Marinakis made the appointment with his emotions and is urgently wishing to prevent another dismissal because removing the manager would be an admission that he made two terrible decisions in dismissing the former coach and choosing the successor. The sport is one big popularity contest and the ex-boss began gaining his at the away ground. The current manager needs to emulate that or he risks losing his for good.