Without a doubt the most disliked Aussie to make an appearance in Nottinghamshire since a villainous hotelier from a popular soap appeared in a theatrical show 20 years back, Forest’s new boss’s reign at the City Ground could hardly have begun more poorly. While the jeers and taunts that TV star the Neighbours star was endured during Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood were mostly in fun, the hostility of the criticism hurled at the Australian coach during Nottingham Forest’s European setback by Midtjylland on Thursday was so intense that it is tough to see the manager who has been in charge for only half a dozen games will remain in post to endure the festive cat-calls this December. On more than one occasion the 60-year-old’s shouts of “He’s behind you!” went disregarded by his hapless players, particularly when the opposition scored their opening pair from badly organized set-pieces. Far from the celebratory mood they’d hoped for, the team’s first UEFA fixture on home soil in 29 years ended in acrimony with the crowd telling Postecoglou he’d be “sacked in the morning”, before serenading his favored, newly sacked predecessor, the Portuguese tactician.
“I understand the atmosphere won’t be positive, I grasp the public’s opinion, chiefly directed at me, but I never worry about that, this is nothing new to me,” the coach retorted in response, while directing the floor around his feet to the usual death-stare. “Football holds no surprises for me, it’s the climate we’re in. This seems to be the direction. It’s beyond my influence. The fans are disappointed, they have every right to their view. I heard their opinion.” Even if those supporters are free to express anger, it could be contended that they might be better advised selecting a more fitting focus for their anger. In the end, it was the Greek businessman who dismissed a popular figure to bring in Postecoglou, who was always going to start under pressure. Observing from the executive seats as he went through a range of sullen, fierce looks last witnessed during that occasion he found out Spurs had initiated the midfielder’s release clause, the shipping magnate has so far escaped any kind of major backlash from fans, a good number of whom remain sure the he is beyond reproach.
When Friday lunchtime arrived, rumours of the coach’s imminent dismissal proved to be unfounded and sources indicate his job remains secure until such time as … actually, it’s not. Even though the Forest head coach can offer a partial defense that he has had minimal opportunity on the training pitch to instil the style and strategic detail that caused Tottenham Hotspur losing 22 of their 38 top-flight games last campaign, his side’s schedule remains daunting and unyielding. Facing Newcastle, Chelsea, Porto and Bournemouth coming soon it is difficult to see from where a maiden victory for the manager will come before what could likely be the biggest dismissal-decider against the Red Devils.
Tune in with the journalist at evening UK time for Women’s Super League news on Manchester United 0-0 Chelsea.
“I’m not the kind of guy who gets involved in controversies, who names people, actually, I’ll refrain from naming names. However I feel there was a slight disregard, even a bit of rudeness too, with no one giving you a ‘good morning’, a ‘good afternoon’” – Antony slams the Red Devils over the frosty environment at the Theatre of Dreams, where conviviality has likely worsened like the side’s performance.
Is there truth the Forest manager has assured followers he always wins a match in his next campaign?” – a fan.
I wouldn’t normally to seek to emphasize the cliché that the Emirates faithful are the game’s biggest moaners, but Thabo Caves (the prior edition’s comments) does make you ponder. Noting that rather than two games a week, Arsenal are having to play more than two fixtures each week (ooh an extra 30 minutes!) over a particular 21-day span (for a roster with two good options for every position to as well) is not the discussion-closer he might imagine. On the contrary it’s just going to have the orchestra of the world’s smallest violins preparing to play once more, while the other fans roll their collective eyes” – another reader.
I can’t work out whether your current contributors (on multiple matches weekly) are deliberately, mockingly repeating one of the memorable moments of web discussion (safe for work), or unconsciously proving Marx’s adage about past occurrences returning as comedy” – a respondent.
If it’s any solace, yesterday’s letter-writer (the last mailbag), I’ve long felt that way [wanting affluent UK clubs to lose in Europe]. Since Forest lost the ability to negotiate Europe, European competition for me has caused a state of seething impotent rage, broken up only sometimes by the Eastern European team and, maybe, the Spanish club. I don’t give a hoot for Liverpool’s exploits from the 1980s right up to the 2005 final. I’m indifferent to {‘that
Lena Hoffmann is a seasoned journalist with a passion for uncovering stories that matter, specializing in German current affairs and digital media trends.
