Forest's manager begins director discussions intent on retaining position at Nottingham Forest
Ange Postecoglou is set to persuade the club's directors to keep confidence in his coaching approach when he holds talks with the team's principal Evangelos Marinakis in coming days.
Defiant Forest boss sees signs of progress amid poor results
The former Tottenham manager was in unbowed, almost jocular form after Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Newcastle. It prolonged his winless streak to seven games since he succeeded Nuno Espírito Santo last month. Yet Postecoglou, who surprisingly started with a back five, identified indications of progress as he prepares for crucial discussions with club officials.
"Indeed, this is hopeless," he said, sarcastically. "I view this as an exciting opportunity. One must be ready for the battle and the struggle. I’d be silly to be sitting here at the age of 60 if I was without confidence or determination. Even in the playground I chose battles with people that defeated me."
Top flight theater gently mocked
Expanding on his point, Postecoglou lightly teased the pantomime of Premier League football that typically requires that at least one manager is always deemed 'in trouble'. "I get that this is part of the fanfare of the top division that it needs a coach to be in the limelight. Should individuals wish to assess me three and a half weeks into the role, there's no words or do that will change that."
"But what I have seen and experienced in this period is that we are moving in the path I want us to. The results will come. In the meantime it is a struggle and a fight and there is nothing wrong with that. We don't have things handed to us on a plate in existence, we have to work hard. I've struggled for things all my life. Why does everyone want everything neatly packaged? Modern mentality today appears that, as quickly as something fails, you replace it."
Embracing the test at the club
Amid much hilarity, he implied that a journalist might have been "hopeless at certain time but your parents didn't give up on you."
The manager then restated that he had walked into the City Ground with his eyes wide open and always recognized that his effort to alter the team's approach would not be straightforward. "I was aware this was a significant test," he said. "There's nothing wrong with that. I don't know why people think challenges are a problem, I love a challenge. The alternative is staying home viewing matches and I don't want to do that. If you guys have great enjoyment about this situation I am unconcerned. I couldn't care less."
