Under-fire Nottingham Forest manager Ange Postecoglou has passionately defended his record, insisting that if given time, his project at the City Ground will end “the same way it always does — with a trophy.”
The 60-year-old Australian coach, appointed just over a month ago to replace Nuno Espirito Santo, has endured a difficult start to life at Forest, failing to win any of his first seven matches. With Forest languishing in 17th place in the Premier League, speculation has grown over his future, especially after reports suggested Sean Dyche was among the potential replacements being considered during the international break.
However, at his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Chelsea, Postecoglou delivered a five-minute emotional monologue defending his vision, his achievements, and his belief in what he is building at the club.
“Some Look at the Weeds, I Look at What’s Growing” – Postecoglou’s Message to Critics
Addressing the mounting scrutiny, Postecoglou insisted he remains optimistic about the project despite the club’s poor form.
“Some look at the weeds but I look at what is growing. I am really excited as I have a group of young players willing to change,” he said.
The Forest boss confirmed he had not spoken with club owner Evangelos Marinakis during the international break, choosing instead to focus on preparing his team.
“I’m not wasting my time on what people think,” Postecoglou added. “If you look at me through the prism of ‘a failed manager lucky to get this job,’ then of course the first five weeks look like I’m under pressure. But there’s another story to tell.”
Postecoglou Points to Tottenham Success as Proof of His Credentials
The Australian referenced his successful spell at Tottenham Hotspur, where he ended the club’s 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League in May 2025. Despite the achievement, he was dismissed after the team’s league form declined late in the season — a decision Postecoglou feels was misrepresented.
“When I took over Tottenham, I was told, ‘This club has to win a trophy.’ We did that. We shed the ‘Spursy’ tag. But all I’ve heard since is that we finished 17th,” he said.
“If people think that’s a reflection of me as a coach, then they’re looking at it through the wrong prism. Look at who was playing in those last few games — I prioritised Europe because we had a chance to win something meaningful.”
The former Celtic boss, who also won multiple domestic trophies in Scotland and Asia, said he believes perceptions about him in English football are skewed.
“Maybe I just don’t fit. But if people give me time, the story always ends the same. At all my previous clubs, it ends with me and a trophy.”
Forest Struggles Continue – But Postecoglou Urges Patience
Since taking charge 38 days ago, Postecoglou’s Forest side have struggled to find rhythm or confidence. They remain winless in seven matches, having managed only four goals and conceding 13.
Despite this, the manager insists he is not discouraged, saying progress takes patience — particularly when trying to change the club’s football identity.
“I have a group of young players who want to change and who are buying into a different way of playing,” he said. “That excites me. This is not about instant results — it’s about building something lasting.”
“Give Me Time, and It Ends with a Trophy”
Postecoglou’s message to supporters and the board was clear: trust the process.
“So we get to the current space where there’s a different story to tell — maybe I’m not a failed manager lucky to get this job,” he said. “Maybe I’m a manager who, if given time, the story always ends the same — with me and a trophy.”
The Forest boss’s defiant tone reflects both his confidence and his determination to prove doubters wrong once again. As Forest prepare to face Chelsea, the pressure is on — but Postecoglou remains steadfast in his belief that he can turn things around.
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