Nottingham Forest Sack Nuno Espirito Santo
Nottingham Forest have confirmed the departure of head coach Nuno Espirito Santo after 21 months in charge. The Portuguese manager leaves despite guiding the club to one of their best Premier League seasons in decades.
His exit comes following internal disagreements with owner Evangelos Marinakis, with reports suggesting the relationship between the two had broken down in recent months. Talks over his replacement are already under way, with Ange Postecoglou among the contenders.
Forest Confirm Nuno’s Departure
The news was announced in a late-night statement, in which the club thanked Nuno for his service. Forest described his spell as “a very successful era at the City Ground” and said he would always be remembered fondly by supporters.
Nuno was appointed in December 2023 following the dismissal of Steve Cooper. He achieved his main task in the 2023-24 season by keeping Forest in the Premier League. The following year, he went further, guiding the team to a seventh-place finish, their best since 1994-95. That success secured European football for the first time in 30 years.
A Strong Record on the Pitch
Under Nuno’s leadership, Forest not only survived but thrived. Their seventh-place finish was widely celebrated as a sign of progress. In June, the club rewarded him with a new three-year contract, signalling faith in his long-term vision.
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This season, Forest currently sit 10th in the Premier League table. However, a 3-0 defeat to West Ham before the September international break raised concerns about their form.
Tensions With Marinakis
Despite the progress, problems behind the scenes overshadowed Nuno’s time. Over the summer, he admitted his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis was no longer as strong as before.
In his own words, Nuno said:
“I always had a very good relationship with the owner, last season we were very close and spoke on a daily basis. This season it is not so well. Our relationship has changed and we are not as close.”
The major issue was Forest’s transfer business. Edu, who was appointed as the club’s global head of football, took firm control of recruitment. Nuno was critical of how the club spent money, saying they had missed an opportunity to strengthen properly.
Forest signed 13 players for about £196m this summer. At the same time, players such as Anthony Elanga, Danilo and Wayne Hennessey left the club.
A History of Friction
This was not the first sign of tension between Nuno and Marinakis. In May last season, after a 2-2 draw against Leicester, Marinakis appeared to confront Nuno on the pitch. While the club denied any confrontation, reports suggested frustration over the handling of striker Taiwo Awoniyi’s late injury.
That incident came during a poor run of form, where Forest collected just eight points from their final eight matches of the season. They missed out on Champions League qualification but still secured a spot in the Conference League. Later, they were moved into the Europa League for the 2025-26 campaign after Crystal Palace were penalised for breaching multi-club ownership rules.
Who Will Replace Nuno?
Forest have already begun the search for a new manager. An announcement is expected soon, with former Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou named as a possible candidate.
The next coach will inherit a squad with talent and European football to look forward to. However, managing the relationship with Marinakis will be just as important as results on the pitch.
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Nuno Espirito Santo’s time at Nottingham Forest will be remembered as one of progress and revival. He restored the club’s competitiveness in the Premier League and brought European football back to the City Ground.
Yet, his story also shows how off-pitch tensions can undo even the most successful spells. As Forest prepare for a new era, supporters will hope the next manager can build on Nuno’s foundation without the same internal conflicts.
FAQs
Q1. Why was Nuno Espirito Santo sacked by Nottingham Forest?
He was dismissed due to a breakdown in his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis, mainly over transfer decisions.
Q2. How long was Nuno in charge of Nottingham Forest?
He managed the club for 21 months, from December 2023 to September 2025.
Q3. What did Nuno achieve with Forest?
He helped the club stay in the Premier League, guided them to a seventh-place finish, and secured European football for the first time in 30 years.
Q4. Who could replace Nuno as Forest’s head coach?
Former Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou is among the candidates being considered.
Q5. Where do Nottingham Forest currently stand in the Premier League?
They are 10th in the table after a 3-0 defeat to West Ham before the international break.
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