Ange Postecoglou sack verdict given as former Tottenham boss faces brutal decision

Alan Shearer has admitted that he wouldn't be shocked if Nottingham Forest dismissed Ange Postecoglou, but believes they ought to persist with the former Tottenham boss for the time being.

The ex-Spurs manager has endured a torrid spell since replacing Nuno Espirito Santo at the City Ground in September. Postecoglou remains without victory in seven matches as Forest chief, and faced 'sacked in the morning' chants from Reds supporters during their 3-2 home loss against Midtjylland in the Europa League last week.

Forest suffered a 2-0 defeat at Newcastle United in their most recent outing, with media reports suggesting that Reds owner Evangelos Marinakis might dismiss the Australian during the current October international break.

And former Newcastle United striker Shearer has now offered his assessment of Postecoglou, expressing his view that the ex-Celtic manager should remain in position.

"It wouldn't surprise me if they make a change at Forest," he told Betfair.

"I don't think they should. Seven games is ridiculous. You never know with owners nowadays and I do look at Nottingham Forest and think 'how were they successful last season?'

"They were because almost everything revolved around big Chris Wood. I know Elanga has left but what they did is, they sat deep and hit teams on the break with pace and energy.

"I've yet to see that which is really unusual because normally when you get offered a job, it's because the person before you has been useless and the club may be in a mess. That isn't the case at Forest - Ange has walked into a really good team.

"They are playing a slightly different way, but we haven't seen Forest sit deep and hit teams on the break like last year, which they were very good at."

When questioned about his future following the loss to Newcastle and whether he would be speaking with Marinakis, Postecoglou responded: "Do I expect that [to have a discussion with the owner]? I expect a discussion with the owner and everyone else at the football club about what we've embarked on here and where we're at and what we need to do for sure now.

"If people want to make an assessment of me after three and a half weeks, which we've had six or seven games around that, there's nothing I can do about that. At the same time, there's nothing wrong with things being tough, that's OK.

"I've sat in there and I'll say to them many times, I did have an option, I could have been sitting on the couch watching the game tonight and not be in the middle of it. I'd rather be here, much rather be here.

"I love a fight, so it's a fight, so it's a struggle, so what? That's OK.

"If people outside don't think I'm the right person, or even internally. It makes no difference for me. I took this role on knowing it would be a massive challenge with what we were trying to do in terms of changing the direction of the club.

"Nothing I've seen in the last three and a half weeks has changed my view on that. I love the challenge of taking this club to where it needs to be and I'm very confident we'll get there."

Story Saved

You can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.