Ange Postecoglou says he does not allow pressure or speculation about his future to “enter my head” and insists his focus is on reviving the fortunes of Nottingham Forest.
The former Tottenham Hotspur manager heads to Newcastle United on Sunday still looking for the first win of his tenure after six games in charge at the City Ground.
It represents the worst start of any Forest manager over the past 100 years — and defeat to Danish side Midtjylland in the Europa League last night saw Postecoglou come under fire from his own fans, just 24 days after taking over from Nuno Espirito Santo.
Postecoglou pointed out that he still managed to lead Tottenham to winning the Europa League last season, even when he knew he was going to be dismissed by the north London club.
“I get it. I think it’s a valid assumption in modern football that there’s always a manager under pressure. That’s just part and parcel of what we do,” he told a press conference on Friday.
“I don’t think that way. Put it this way, I knew I was getting sacked at Tottenham about three or four months before I did, but it didn’t stop me winning something.
“It doesn’t enter my head. My responsibility lies in making sure this football club progresses and gets to a position where it can challenge for things.”
Postecoglou says he will ignore any speculation over his future in the same way as he did at Celtic and Tottenham.
“If I start worrying about what’s going to happen next week, then I’m not performing the role I’ve been given. I just don’t think that’s helpful to anyone,” he said. “The things I control are the environment, training and the way we play. I am still very, very strong in my belief that we are not too far away.”
Postecoglou faced chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” from his own fans at the City Ground on Thursday.
“I don’t like sending messages to fans,” he added. “They love their football club and are obviously disappointed with the way things are going at the moment and disappointed with last night.
“The one thing I can do is fulfil the responsibility I have to get the team out there to change our fortunes. If we do that, then I’m sure the fans will be happier with everything.”
(Photo: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)