Ange Postecoglou begins director discussions determined to keeping job at Nottingham Forest

The Australian manager is determined to convince Nottingham Forest’s board to keep confidence in his coaching approach when he holds talks with the team's principal Evangelos Marinakis in coming days.

Resolute Postecoglou sees positive indicators amid winless run

The Australian was in unbowed, almost jocular form after the weekend loss at Newcastle. It extended his run without a win to seven games since he replaced Nuno Espírito Santo last month. Yet Postecoglou, who unusually started with a back five, detected signs of improvement as he gets ready for crucial discussions with club officials.

"Indeed, it’s a lost cause," he said, with irony. "I see it as an exciting opportunity. One must be ready for the fight and the struggle. It would be foolish to be in this position at the age of 60 if I was without confidence or determination. Even in the schoolyard I picked fights with people that beat me up."

Premier League theater gently mocked

Expanding on his point, the Forest manager lightly teased the drama of English top division that typically requires that at least one manager is always considered 'in trouble'. "I understand that it’s part of the fanfare of the top division that it requires one manager to be in the limelight. Should individuals wish to evaluate my work less than a month into the job, there's no words or do that will change that."

"However my observations and experienced in this period is that we are heading in the direction I want us to. The results 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 life, we have to work hard. I've struggled for things throughout my career. Why must everyone want everything neatly packaged? The attitude today seems to be that, as quickly as something fails, you change it."

Accepting the challenge at Nottingham Forest

During the lighthearted exchange, he implied that one reporter might have been "a lost cause at certain time but your parents didn't give up on you."

The manager then reiterated that he had joined the Nottingham Forest with his eyes wide open and always understood that his effort to change the team's approach would not be straightforward. "I knew this was a significant test," he said. "This isn't bad with that. I'm unsure why people think difficulties are a burden, I enjoy a challenge. The other option is sitting at home watching games and I don't want to do that. Should journalists have a lot fun about this situation I am unconcerned. I couldn't care less."