Nottingham Forest chiefs have made a decision on the future of under-fire boss Ange Postecoglou, with a big-name manager now the “leading contender” to potentially replace him.
Ange Postecoglou makes worst start by a Forest manager for 100 years
Postecoglou’s appointment at Forest raised a good few eyebrows, and Evangelos Marinakis’ managerial gamble really hasn’t paid off so far.
The ex-Tottenham boss’ tenure has been marred by a disastrous run of form, with the team failing to secure a single win in his first seven matches in charge. This dire streak has left Forest languishing near the bottom of the Premier League table and under intense pressure from fans and the media alike.
Arsenal 3-0 Forest
Premier League
Swansea 3-2 Forest
Carabao Cup
Burnley 1-1 Forest
Premier League
Real Betis 2-2 Forest
Europa League
Forest 0-1 Sunderland
Premier League
Forest 2-3 FC Midtjylland
Europa League
Newcastle 2-0 Forest
Premier League
A string of poor results have been compounded by a lack of cohesion on the pitch.
Postecoglou’s high-intensity, possession-based style has yet to translate into convincing performances, with Forest players thus far struggling to adapt to a very different system compared to that of his predecessor, Nuno Espirito Santo.
Defensive frailties have also been glaring, leading to frustration within the stands and growing calls for change already. The atmosphere at the City Ground is souring, with supporters chanting ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ when the Tricky Trees fell to their humbling 3-2 defeat at home to FC Midtjylland in the Europa League.
As a result, speculation about his future has intensified, with reports suggesting that Marinakis is closely monitoring the situation and could make another managerial change if results do not improve swiftly (Sky Sports).
The possibility of Postecoglou becoming the shortest-reigning manager in Premier League history has also been discussed, following the 60-year-old’s worst start by any Forest boss in 100 years.
If Marinakis does make a change, there are a few candidates who are being linked with the potentially vacant Forest job.
Fulham’s Marco Silva is one target for Forest. Marinakis enjoys a good relationship with the Portuguese, having previously worked together at Olympiacos, where they won a Greek Super League title.
Like Silva, Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner is out of contract at the end of this season, and some reports suggest the tactician is another “prime candidate” to succeed Postecoglou if he’s dismissed (TEAMtalk).
Rafael Benitez emerging as "leading contender" for Nottingham Forest job
Now, according to journalist Wayne Veysey, former Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle and Everton manager, Rafael Benitez, has suddenly jumped up Marinakis’ shortlist.
The 65-year-old, who’s been out of work since leaving Celta Vigo in 2024, last managed in the Premier League over three and a half years ago during his lacklustre spell at Everton.
Benitez was spotted in close proximity to Marinakis during Olympiacos’ 2-0 defeat at Arsenal in the Champions League last week, and he’s apparently open to an approach from Forest with the club considering his candidacy (GiveMeSport).
According to Veysey, in a piece for Football Insider, Benitez is “now the leading contender” to replace Postecoglou at Forest, and as the Spaniard emerges into pole position, Marinakis has also made a decision on his current boss.
Veysey also claims that Marinakis has decided not to axe Postecoglou during this international break, and will stick with him for the return of Premier League football next week.
However, he must inspire a quick turnaround of results, or face being dismissed, with Benitez there as a top option in the event Postecoglou is sacked.
Called a “world-class” tactician by his peers, Benitez has enjoyed a trophy-laden career overall.
Clubs
Tenure
Matches in charge
Titles/achievements
Real Valladolid
1995-96
25
Osasuna
1996
9
Extremadura
1997-99
92
Segunda promotion
Tenerife
2000-01
46
Segunda promotion
Valencia
2001-04
162
La Liga X2
UEFA Cup
Liverpool
2004-12
350
Champions League
FA Cup
UEFA Super Cup
Internazionale
2010
25
FIFA Club World Cup
Supercoppa Italiana
Chelsea
2012-13
48
Europa League
Napoli
2013-15
112
Coppa Italia
Supercoppa Italiana
Real Madrid
2015-16
25
Newcastle United
2016-19
146
EFL Championship
Dalian Professional
2019-21
38
Everton
2021-22
22
Celta de Vigo
2023-24
33
That being said, Benitez’s inactivity since 23/24 could spark doubt as to whether he is ready for an extremely tough job like Forest right now.