Forest's manager enters director discussions determined to retaining job at Nottingham Forest
The Australian manager is determined to convince Nottingham Forest’s board to keep confidence in his coaching approach when he meets with the team's principal Evangelos Marinakis this week.
Defiant Postecoglou detects signs of progress amid winless run
The Australian was in unbowed, nearly humorous mood after the weekend loss at Newcastle. It extended his winless streak to seven matches since he replaced Nuno Espírito Santo last month. Yet the experienced coach, who unusually started with a five-man defense, identified indications of progress as he prepares for crucial discussions with City Ground directors.
"Indeed, this is hopeless," he said, with irony. "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 was without confidence or determination. Back in the playground I picked fights with people that defeated me."
Premier League theater gently mocked
Warming to his theme, Postecoglou lightly teased the pantomime of Premier League football that almost demands that at least one manager is always considered 'in trouble'. "I understand that this is part of the spectacle of the Premier League that it requires one manager to be in the limelight. Should individuals wish to evaluate my work three and a half weeks into the job, there's no words or actions that will change that."
"But what I have seen and experienced in this period is that we are heading in the direction I desire us to. Positive outcomes will arrive. In the meantime it is a battle and a contest and there is no issue with that. Life doesn't give things provided easily on a plate in existence, we have to fight. I've struggled for things throughout my career. Why must everyone want everything perfectly arranged? Modern mentality nowadays seems to be that, as quickly as something goes wrong, you change it."
Embracing the test at the club
During the lighthearted exchange, he suggested that a journalist might have been "a lost cause at some point but your family didn't give up on you."
The manager then reiterated that he had joined the City Ground with his eyes wide open and always recognized that his effort to alter Forest’s playing style would not be easy. "I knew this was a big challenge," he said. "This isn't bad with that. I'm unsure why people think difficulties are a problem, I love a challenge. The other option is staying home viewing matches and I don't want to do that. If you guys have a lot fun around it I am unconcerned. I couldn't care less."
