Nottingham Forest head coach Ange Postecoglou was sacked just 17 minutes after the side’s 3-0 defeat by Chelsea at the City Ground on Saturday.
The Australian’s dismissal – 39 days after his appointment on 9 September – means Postecoglou’s stint at Forest is the shortest permanent managerial reign in Premier League history.
Sources have told BBC Sport that Forest have made contact with ex-Everton boss Sean Dyche with a view to replacing Postecoglou, while former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is another possible candidate.
Postecoglou failed to win any of his eight matches in charge of Forest, with two draws and six defeats across all competitions.
Forest collected just one point from Postecoglou’s five Premier League matches in charge, leaving the side one point above the relegation zone in 17th on his departure and in the bottom three following the day’s later games.
“Nottingham Forest Football Club can confirm that after a series of disappointing results and performances, Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties as head coach with immediate effect,” a Forest statement read.
“The club will make no further comment at this time.”
Postecoglou’s staff, including Nick Montgomery, Mile Jedinak and Sergio Raimundo are also expected to leave.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was at the City Ground to witness the defeat by Chelsea but was pictured leaving his seat around the 67th minute.
He did not deliver the news to Postecoglou, with a senior club official instead telling the 60-year-old – although that is not unusual.
Postecoglou then said goodbye to his players, leaving them with an apology it did not work and that he was not able to deliver what he was brought in to do.
Many fans headed for the exit when Reece James put Chelsea 3-0 up six minutes from time, and there were jeers from the home fans at the full-time whistle
Who next for Forest?
Postecoglou’s departure means Forest are searching for their third manager already this season, having sacked Nuno Espirito Santo just three matches into the campaign.
Forest have made early contact with former Everton manager Sean Dyche with a view to replacing Postecoglou, while ex-Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is another contender.
Dyche has been out of work since being sacked by the Toffees in January, while Macini’s last role was in charge of Saudi Arabia’s national side.
Mancini has Premier League experience, having led City to the Premier League title in 2012.
While talks have been held with Dyche, sources indicate that an agreement is not a foregone conclusion.
There is also major internal support for Fulham manager Marco Silva, but he is understood to have a ‘significant’ release clause in his contract which provides an obstacle for Forest.
Importantly, Mancini and Dyche are out of work and available without the need to pay for their release.
