The China Mail - Postecoglou's Forest exit is latest chapter in rollercoaster career

Postecoglou was axed after failing to win any of his eight matches as Forest boss since replacing the sacked Nuno Espirito Santo in September.

On Friday, former Tottenham manager Postecoglou boasted that his time at a club will always end "with me and a trophy".

But less than 24 hours later he was sacked for the second time in five months following Forest's 3-0 home defeat against Chelsea.

The 60-year-old's abrupt departure from the City Ground was announced only 17 minutes after the sixth and final defeat of his reign left Forest in the relegation zone.

Volatile Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis had sacked Nuno even though the Portuguese coach led them into Europe for the first time in 30 years, leaving Postecoglou under pressure to make an immediate impact.

Unable to muster a single win with his new club, his polarising managerial career in the Premier League now has another remarkable chapter.

Postecoglou lasted just two turbulent seasons as Tottenham boss before being sacked in June -- only 16 days after masterminding their Europa League final victory over Manchester United.

Ending Tottenham's 17-year trophy drought, and securing qualification for this season's Champions League in the process, was not enough to save him from the axe following a woeful Premier League campaign.

Tottenham's 17th-place finish was their lowest in the top-flight since 1976/77, with Postecoglou's naive insistence on sticking to ultra-attacking tactics ultimately proving his undoing.

Following a successful spell at Celtic that featured two Scottish titles, he had arrived at Spurs in 2023 feted as a moderniser capable of transforming the club.

Tottenham made a fast start in his maiden campaign, only to crumble as Aston Villa pipped them in the race for Champions League qualification.

- Unwanted record -

The Europa League run stopped Tottenham from sacking Postecoglou during last season and he finally learnt from his mistakes as he adopted a more cautious game-plan to beat United in the final.

Aware he was still likely to be dismissed, he made a point of emphasising his achievements at the club's trophy parade.

Famous for boasting he always wins a trophy in his second season, Postecoglou said: "All the best television series, season three is better than season two".

But that bold promise would go unfulfilled.

Athens-born Postecoglou made his name with title-winning success at South Melbourne and Brisbane Roar in Australia, repeating the feat at Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos.

He also won the 2015 Asian Cup during his spell as Australia boss.

However, the Premier League has exposed the flaws in his managerial style.

Often outspoken in his press conferences and honest to a fault at times, Postecoglou always seemed an unlikely fit with Marinakis.

The Greek left no doubt as to what he expected from Postecoglou when he heralded his appointment by saying: "We now must take the right step to compete with the very best and challenge for trophies.

"Ange has the credentials and the track record to do this."

If that was an optimistic reading of Forest's standing after 35 years without a major trophy, it nevertheless underscored the demands on Postecoglou.

Losing at home to promoted Sunderland and crashing out of the League Cup against second-tier Swansea were significant blows.

By the time Postecoglou faced the media before the Chelsea game he was firmly on the defensive.

"If you look at it through the prism of I'm a failed manager who's lucky to get this job, then of course these first five weeks look like 'This guy is under pressure'," he said.

"But maybe I'm a manager that if you give them time, the story always ends the same. At all my previous clubs it ends the same -- with me and a trophy."

Instead of silverware, Postecoglou leaves Forest with an unwanted record -- his reign of less than six weeks is the shortest of any permanent Premier League manager.

L.Kwan--ThChM