LONDON: Ange Postecoglou has been sacked for the second time in five months after being axed a mere 17 minutes after Nottingham Forest’s 3-0 home defeat by Chelsea. In May he was dismissed by Tottenham for their Premier League failings despite Europa League success.

Defender Josh Acheampong and winger Pedro Neto scored for Chelsea just after half-time, prompting chants of “you don’t know what you are doing” from the home supporters before Blues captain Reece James delivered the coup de grace – for Forest and their manager. By then Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis had already left the directors’ box.

The Australian’s dismissal – 39 days after his appointment on September 9 – means Postecoglou’s stint at Forest is the shortest permanent managerial reign in Premier League history. He 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 – the same position Spurs were in at the end of last term when he was sacked there.

A club statement said: “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. The club will make no further comment at this time.”

Postecoglou’s 39 days in charge means he has broken Les Reed’s record for the shortest reign – in terms of days in charge – of any permanent managerial appointment in Premier League history.

Sam Allardyce, who managed 30 days in charge of Leeds, had been only an interim appointment at Elland Road. De Boer managed Crystal Palace four times in the Premier League, while Postecoglou oversaw five league matches at Forest.

Forest are searching for their third manager already this season, having sacked Nuno Espirito Santo just three matches into the campaign.

Further league action saw Arsenal remain top of the Premier League with a 1-0 win at Fulham while Erling Haaland took his league tally this season to 11 in eight games with both goals in City’s 2-0 home win over Everton.

####