Nuno Espirito Santo has been sacked Nottingham Forest after just three games of the new season.
The Portuguese manager guided Forest into European competitions last season, marking their first appearance this century, but his relationship with the club’s leadership has grown tense over the summer.
Nuno openly criticized Forest’s transfer strategies and acknowledged that his connection with owner Evangelos Marinakis had deteriorated compared to last year. Having joined the team in December 2023, Nuno found it challenging to adapt to the new hierarchy with former Arsenal player Edu taking on the role of global head of football. Recently, Marinakis dismissed rumors of a rift with Nuno, with discussions between them anticipated.
However, a statement released on Tuesday morning confirmed: ‘Nottingham Forest Football Club announces that, in light of recent situations, Nuno Espírito Santo has been relieved of his duties as Head Coach as of today.’
‘The Club expresses gratitude to Nuno for his contributions during a successful era at The City Ground, especially during the 2024/25 season, which will always be remembered fondly in the Club’s history.’
‘As someone who played a pivotal role in our success last season, he will always hold a special place in our journey.’
Nuno Espirito Santo has been sacked by Nottingham Forest after two years in charge
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis only days ago dismissed reports of a rift between himself and his manager
And despite bringing huge success on the pitch for the club, Marinakis and his now-former manager certainly haven’t always seen eye-to-eye.
The tensions were evident as far back as last season when the Forest owner marched onto the City Ground pitch to reprimand his coach following a 2-2 draw with Leicester City.
Clearly, their issues remain unresolved, as Nuno candidly revealed during a recent press conference that their relationship was ‘not so good.’
The comment sparked speculation that Marinakis could sack the former Wolves boss amid links to Ange Postecoglou, or even that Nuno could resign – something he strongly denied.
Daily Mail Sport revealed last week that club-record signing Omari Hutchinson was set to be omitted from Forest’s Europa League squad – another decision unlikely to please Nuno’s bosses.
Forest will turn their thoughts immediately to appointing a new manager, with former Tottenham boss Postecoglou thought to be among the names under consideration. Jose Mourinho has also been linked with the role in overseas media outlets.
Marinakis has long admired Fulham boss Marco Silva and Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde, although hiring either would mean paying compensation.
Nuno’s final match in charge of Forest was a woeful 3-0 home defeat by West Ham before the international break, under the watchful gaze of Marinakis.
Tensions seemed to start to grow when Marinakis confronted Nuno on the pitch last season
Marinakis broke his silence about the drama surrounding the club in recent days, claiming he and his manager maintain a ‘strong relationship’.
Speaking to TNT Sports from the Europa League draw in Monaco, the 57-year-old said: ‘Yes [Nuno can lead Forest forward], he has been successful and we have done things we have enjoyed. Now we can afford to do things that we enjoy.
‘Everything is solid. We all want Nottingham to succeed. We are here in the good days but we are even closer in the difficult days, so personally I don’t see a problem.
‘We are all together, united, and we’ll make some corrective actions and everything will be smooth and ready to go.
‘We have a solid relationship. Of course, sometimes we can be nervous, say one thing, say another, but what counts at the end of the day is the real relationship between me and Nuno, between Nuno and the players and between the players and ourselves.’
The former Porto boss however dismissed reports claiming he was considering resigning as ‘nonsense’ after his side’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Sunday.
‘It is absurd, never,’ he told reporters. And when asked whether he’ll be in charge beyond the international break, Nuno replied: ‘Yes, I think so. I don’t know how to answer that but I think so.
‘I’m totally relaxed in that sense. We need to have a talk about the future of the club and what is the commitment to the club. We want the same thing, we want the best for Forest, that’s for sure.
‘We have to talk. These kinds of things should be done in the right moment, and the right moment is after the game. Now we are focused on West Ham, then we have the international break and I think that is the right moment.’
