Ange Postecoglou Shows Class in Emotional Gesture to Fans Minutes After Nottingham Forest Sacking

Former Socceroos manager Ange Postecoglou has been praised for his remarkable display of grace just hours after his shock dismissal as Nottingham Forest head coach.

Postecoglou was sacked only 39 days after taking charge, following Forest’s 3–0 home defeat to Chelsea. The Australian had replaced Nuno Espírito Santo on 9 September but failed to record a win in any of his eight matches in charge.

Club owner Evangelos Marinakis made the decisive call after the team’s fourth consecutive loss in all competitions. He was seen leaving the directors’ box midway through Saturday’s match at the City Ground, and the club officially announced Postecoglou’s departure just 19 minutes after full-time.

A Gesture That Touched Fans

Despite the disappointment, Postecoglou remained at the stadium long after the final whistle to personally farewell Forest supporters.

Later, he was seen driving his own car out of the ground, stopping on at least two occasions to speak with young fans — a gesture that quickly went viral among supporters.

“Yeh, given what he must have been feeling, that’s a seriously decent thing to do. What a photo,” one fan wrote.

“To be fair, that was class from Ange,” another added.

“Ange is a one-off. In a football world where fear of failure and criticism kills ambition and individuality, he does things his way with no regard for how it's perceived,” said another supporter.

Postecoglou’s show of character comes after a turbulent period in his managerial career, with his exit from Forest following a previous sacking from Tottenham Hotspur. His immediate future now appears uncertain.

Reaction from Football Figures

The decision to dismiss Postecoglou so swiftly has divided opinion. Former Socceroo and SBS analyst Craig Foster criticised Forest’s handling of the situation.

“Ridiculous decision making,” Foster said.
“A coach that excelled last season, Nuno, sacked after three games. A proven team builder with success in Europe appointed to change the football, then surprise when everything does not successfully change in just one month? Crazy stuff. Now it's back to square one.”

Another former Socceroo and media personality Mark Bosnich admitted he wasn’t surprised by the decision.

“If he lost heavily, yes, I did expect this,” Bosnich told SEN 1116.
“The team Ange inherited is the antithesis of the style he plays and he didn’t have the luxury of time or a transfer window.

“You have to look at who his boss is — a very successful businessman. Ange was his eighth manager in eight years at Forest. We know from that and the way he runs clubs, he doesn’t mess around. Marinakis didn’t have too much pride to say ‘enough is enough’.

“It’s not good news obviously, and the thing now for Ange is where to next?”

What Lies Ahead for Ange Postecoglou

Bosnich believes Postecoglou may not get another Premier League opportunity in the immediate future but expects him to return to management elsewhere in Europe.

“It’s not a good record,” he continued.
“Maybe it’s time to sit back and have a look at where things are going.

“Right now, the EPL is not the place for him. I expected him to have a sabbatical after Spurs and maybe make a return in January. I think he takes a break now and then looks for opportunities in January or the start of next season.

“Other options will arise around Europe. The fact he won the Europa League will always count in his favour.”