Ange Postecoglou begins board talks intent on keeping job at Nottingham Forest
The Australian manager is set to convince Nottingham Forest’s board to keep confidence in his managerial philosophy when he holds talks with the team's principal Evangelos Marinakis in coming days.
Resolute Forest boss sees signs of progress during poor results
The former Tottenham manager was in unbowed, nearly humorous form after Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Newcastle. It prolonged his run without a win to seven matches since he succeeded Nuno Espírito Santo last month. Yet the experienced coach, who surprisingly started with a back five, identified indications of improvement as he prepares for crucial discussions with club officials.
"Yes, it’s a lost cause," he said, sarcastically. "I view this as an exciting opportunity. You have to be up for the fight and the struggle. It would be foolish to be sitting here at the age of 60 if I lacked self-belief or determination. Back in the schoolyard I picked fights with people that beat me up."
Premier League pantomime gently mocked
Expanding on his point, the Forest manager gently mocked the pantomime of English top division that almost demands that at least one manager is always deemed 'under pressure'. "I understand that this is part of the spectacle of the Premier League that it requires one manager to be in the spotlight. If people want to evaluate my work three and a half weeks into the role, there's no words or do that will alter that perception."
"But what I have seen and experienced in this timeframe is that we are heading in the path I want us to. Positive outcomes will arrive. In the meantime it is a battle and a fight and there is nothing wrong with that. We don't have things handed to us without effort in existence, we have to work hard. I've struggled for things throughout my career. Why does everyone want everything perfectly arranged? Modern mentality nowadays seems to be that, as soon as something fails, you change it."
Embracing the test at the club
During the lighthearted exchange, he implied that one reporter might have been "a lost cause 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 knew this was a big challenge," he said. "This isn't bad with that. I'm unsure why people think difficulties are a burden, I enjoy a challenge. The alternative is sitting at home viewing matches and I don't want to do that. If you guys have a lot fun about this situation I am unconcerned. I couldn't care less."
