Nottingham Forest devise plan for life after Ange Postecoglou if struggling Australian is sacked - as Evangelos Marinakis makes key decision

Nottingham Forest are likely to revert to a more conservative style of play if they decide to move on from Ange Postecoglou.

As first reported by Daily Mail Sport last week, Postecoglou looks increasingly likely to be in charge when Forest take on Chelsea on Saturday. 

But the Australian remains on thin ice after failing to record a win from any of his opening seven games and may need a spectacular turnaround to save himself.

It is understood managers have been sounded out by intermediaries in case Forest opt to make a change and should Forest do so, candidates who favour a more pragmatic game may find themselves high on the list.

Though there were promising signs under Postecoglou, who replaced Nuno Espirito Santo on September 9, supporters made their feelings known when Forest lost 3-2 at home to Midtjylland in the Europa League earlier this month. 

Three days later, they were beaten 2-0 at Newcastle before the international break and played more cautiously in that fixture than in either of Postecoglou’s previous six games. Marco Silva is admired by the Forest hierarchy but has a huge release clause in his Fulham contract, which expires at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, Forest head of recruitment Pedro Ferreira’s immediate future is set to be determined by Benfica’s presidential elections later this month. 

One of the candidates, Noronha Lopes, has pledged to make Ferreira director of football if he wins. Before joining Forest in June 2024, Ferreira spent 17 years at Benfica in a variety of roles.

His departure would be a blow to Forest, who last week saw their chief football officer Ross Wilson join Newcastle.