Nottingham Forest manager Ange Postecoglou has admitted there has been no contact between himself and club owner Evangelos Marinakis after supporters turned on the Australian following a humiliating defeat by Danish side Midtjylland.
Forest fans chanted ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning’ and sang the name of former manager Nuno Espirito Santo, now at West Ham, after the Europa League setback at the City Ground.
Marinakis appeared unimpressed by the performance from his seat in the stands, and tomorrow’s display at Newcastle United will determine whether Postecoglou has a long term future with him, just over three weeks since the ex-Tottenham manager arrived in the East Midlands.
Postecoglou said: ‘We didn’t speak on Thursday, it’s fair to say, we both weren’t in the mood for a catch up. I caught up with him after some other games though – and he wants his team to win.
‘So, you know, his only sort of comment to me has been, ‘how can we help you?’ And that’s all you need to know. He wants to help. I don’t expect him to be happy about the current situation, but neither am I.
‘So from that point of view, there’s a clear understanding but the reality is there’s very little anyone can do – it’s in my hands. They’re doing all they can, I’m the one that’s responsible for changing the club’s fortunes.’
Ange Postecoglou shows his frustration as Nottingham Forest lose at home in Europa League
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis could soon have another decision to make over his manager
But he maintains that he will not ‘send a message’ to the fans – as he knows he will be judged on results.
He added: ‘I don’t have to win over anyone, I have to win games of football. That’s my role and they may never warm to me – where I fit into that puzzle is, maybe I’m not the right person in some people’s eyes.
‘That’s okay, we don’t believe you need to live in a world where everyone loves you. I don’t like sending messages to fans. They love their football club.
‘We’re obviously disappointed with the way things are going at the moment. But I have to get the team out there to change our fortunes. And if we do that, then I’m sure that the fans will be happier with everything.’
Asked if he felt the reaction of the fans was fair, Postecoglou pointed out that he has had less than a month to work with the players – who are getting used to a new system.
The Forest boss added: ‘We’re going through a period right now where maybe the uncertainty means we’re not dealing with the totality of the game. A hell of a lot has changed.
‘Is it fair? If I said no it’s not, then people would interpret that I’m not happy. If people think a month is enough time to pass judgment on something, then what can I say about it?
‘And if you sit there and tell me that it’s been a disaster and every game has been absolutely terrible, then there’s nothing I can say to that because I just don’t think that’s the reality.
Forest are without a win in any of Postecoglou’s six games in charge
The Aussie however insists he is ‘up for the fight’ and able to turn his side’s dire run around
‘I deal with the reality and the truth of the matter and that is we’ve seen some progress we could be sitting here having won the majority of these games that we’ve lost and you know people could have a different opinion of me.
‘I don’t let that guide my journey in life.’
Postecoglou says he is not about to give up on the task of getting Forest back on track.
He knows the only way to get supporters back onside is to start winning games.
But he has not done that in six attempts – the worst start by any Forest manager in 100 years.
Postecoglou added: “It’s been a constant in my career. I’ve had my back against the wall for 30 years. It’s just the nature of the beast – and I love the fight.
‘Most of this is not unfamiliar territory for me. I’ve often had sticky and uncomfortable beginnings, but all those stories ended well.’
