Gone in 18 minutes: Postecoglou’s rapid exit leaves Marinakis rebuild in peril

Nottingham Forest owner, Evangelos Marinakis, moved quickly following the loss at the City Ground, the club announcing 18 minutes after the final whistle that the game would be Ange Postecoglou’s last. Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA

Hand the keys back, pack the suitcase, take down the pictures, terminate the lease. Ange Postecoglou really should have never left temporary digs for a Nottingham apartment during the international break. Football moves fast, the Australian sacked after just 40 days and eight games in charge.

One hundred and forty-six days ago, Chelsea’s previous visit to the City Ground on a sunny May afternoon, the complexion was different. At kick-off there was a contrasting kind of jeopardy in the air. It was the final game of the season, qualifying for the Champions League still a distinct possibility.