Sources: Nottingham Forest draw up ‘new list’ of Ange Postecoglou replacements
Ange Postecoglou’s future at Nottingham Forest is still far from secure after a dismal start to his tenure so far at the City Ground.
Postecoglou replaced Nuno Espirito Santo in September, but has since failed to pick up a single win from seven games in charge, piling the pressure on his position.
Following Nottingham Forest’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle on 5 October, speculation about the manager’s future has been rife.
Forest fans have called for Postecoglou’s head, with large sections of the crowd singing “sacked in the morning” during their defeat to Midtjylland.
However, Football Insider revealed on 11 October that Marinakis expects Postecoglou to start winning games and their form must turn if he wants to save his job.
Nottingham Forest target Sean Dyche and Rafael Benitez
Football Insider understands Forest are exploring the market for a new manager, with proven Premier League bosses Sean Dyche and Rafael Benitez among the contenders.
However, as I explained on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, work is already ongoing behind the scenes to line up potential replacements for the manager in case they are forced to pull the trigger in the coming weeks.
Among the contenders are believed to be Sean Dyche and Marco Silva, while Football Insider revealed on 11 October that Forest are interested in Rafa Benitez.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “Yeah, look, all top clubs now, they’ve got contingency plans in place. They will have names and figures on a potential replacement list.
“Marinakis, ideally, wouldn’t want to sack Postecoglou so early into his career at the City Ground, but he wants his team to be higher up the Premier League.
“He’s shown he’s willing to make big calls by getting rid of Nuno earlier this season, despite him being their most successful manager in recent times.
“Marco Silva is a top manager. He’s proved that at Fulham. He’s done a very good job there, but his future is a bit up in the air.
“If Forest were to make a change, Silva would be very high up on that list, but it will be very difficult for them to do anything this season, because Fulham won’t want to lose the manager.
“There are other names on the list at Forest though, and Marinakis and the Forest board have been working to draw up a new list of targets in case they do sack Postecoglou.“
There are concerns that managers could be put off the Nottingham Forest job, although it is still seen as an attractive prospect despite the recent uncertainty.
Postecoglou fighting for his place at Nottingham Forest
Upcoming games against Chelsea, Porto and Bournemouth could prove decisive for Postecoglou, while he remains determined to wrestle control over their dismal form.
Postecoglou is prepared to fight for his job and came out swinging following the defeat to Newcastle, insisting he is not afraid of the pressure on his position.
However, concerns about his style of play and the disastrous transition from Nuno means Forest could be tempted to make another change.
With the likes of Dyche and Benitez being linked with the job, Forest are seemingly considering a switch back to a more pragmatic approach in search of results.
If Postecoglou fails to prove that his style of play can work at the City Ground, he may find himself out of a job less than two months after his appointment.
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