Nottingham Forest’s long-awaited return to European football quickly turned into a major crisis after a disappointing 3-2 defeat to FC Midtjylland, which led to loud fan protests demanding the firing of manager Ange Postecoglou. 

This poor result gives the Australian coach the unwanted title of being the first permanent Forest boss in 100 years to lose his first six games. 

Despite a massive summer spending spree, the team’s defensive problems were fully exposed by the Danish side, leading to a loss that has significantly increased the pressure on Postecoglou. 

The manager, who is known for sticking to his attacking style, remains publicly defiant, but he now faces a difficult list of matches against top teams, knowing only quick wins can save his job.

The atmosphere surrounding Forest’s first European tie in 29 years, since a 1996 exit to Bayern Munich, was electric, with a near-capacity crowd of 29,323 filling the stands. 

However, the optimism was punctured early and often by clinical lapses in the home side’s defense.

The visitors, Danish side Midtjylland—who are renowned for their data-driven, “Moneyball” approach to exploiting set-piece opportunities—struck twice in the opening half-hour from dead-ball situations. 

Ousmane Diao headed in the opener in the 18th minute, and after Dan Ndoye’s swift 22nd-minute equalizer, Mads Bech Sorensen poked home a second goal just four minutes later. 

While Forest dominated possession at 61% and peppered the goal with 22 shots, their backline simply crumbled under pressure. 

Midtjylland’s ability to maximize dead balls exposed a clear problem: Postecoglou’s side has now conceded 13 goals in just six matches.

Despite the late drama of a Chris Wood penalty in the 90+3rd minute, a decisive counterattack strike from Valdemar Andreasen in the 88th minute sealed the points for the visitors. 

Compounding the misery, key defender Murillo was forced off injured, highlighting the squad fragility that the summer’s massive recruitment drive has yet to fix.

The final whistle brought a chorus of boos and furious chants calling for Postecoglou’s sacking. 

Fans even serenaded the Australian with ironic cheers and songs for his popular predecessor, Nuno Espirito Santo, who was sacked despite guiding the club to a 7th-place finish due to a late-season collapse and disagreements with the owner over team philosophy.

The 59-year-old Postecoglou stood firm, acknowledging the ire of the supporters. “The fans are disappointed—they’re entitled to have an opinion on it, and I heard their opinion,” he said, keeping a steady composure despite the visible frustration. 

He added that the intensity of the job is not new:”Nothing surprises me anymore in football.”

Postecoglou’s career is one of overcoming early skepticism. 

He achieved great success turning early doubts into dominance at Celtic, winning back-to-back Scottish titles, and he guided Australia to the 2015 Asian Cup. 

Even his recent tenure at Tottenham, though ending abruptly with him being axed 16 days after a Europa League win following a domestic freefall, demonstrated his willingness to stick to his attacking “Ange-ball” philosophy. 

“I really believe we’re on the right track,” he insisted. “Nothing I saw tonight changes that.”

The growing fan outrage presents a critical test for Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, whose track record includes making swift, decisive changes to the management structure, such as sacking Nuno shortly after giving him a contract extension.

However, some football pundits, like former Forest striker Michail Antonio, suggested on TNT Sports that Postecoglou may be afforded time due to the owner’s investment in his philosophical vision. 

Yet, as former Forest manager Martin O’Neill stated, “Wins are the name of the game. You have to deal with the noise, but you can’t avoid it.”

Postecoglou’s immediate schedule offers no respite. 

The team faces a grueling run of high-profile matches starting with a Premier League trip to Newcastle on Sunday. 

That is followed by home games against Chelsea and Porto before facing massive league tests against Manchester United and Liverpool later in the month.

The Australian manager is keenly aware that only victories can turn the tide of public opinion. 

For a club dreaming of reclaiming its European pedigree, his current defiance needs to be backed up by immediate results.