Nottingham Forest have sacked head coach Nuno Espírito Santo after rising tensions with club leadership. The Portuguese manager leaves less than three games into the 2025–26 Premier League season.
Nuno joined Nottingham Forest in December 2023. He helped turn around their form. He secured safety from relegation and a 17th-place finish in his first season. Under his leadership, Forest achieved a seventh-place finish in 2024–25, marking their best top-flight performance in three decades. That finish also earned the club a spot in the Europa League.
In June, Nottingham Forest extended Nuno’s contract through 2028. The club praised his management and growing bond with players and fans. However, disagreements started to surface during the off-season.
Nuno spoke publicly about his faltering relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis. He also criticized the club’s transfer strategy and suggested the squad was unbalanced. An incident last season when Marinakis entered the pitch after a match highlighted deeper tension.
Forest’s poor start to the current campaign, including a heavy 3-0 loss to West Ham, may have accelerated the decision. At the time of his departure, the club sat 10th in the league table.
Nottingham Forest released a statement thanking Nuno for his contribution during a memorable era. The club highlighted his role in the historic 2024–25 season.
Reports suggest that Ange Postecoglou is the leading contender to replace him. Postecoglou, recently manager at Tottenham and a Europa League winner, is well regarded by the Forest hierarchy. Other options being considered include Marco Silva, Oliver Glasner, and Mauricio Pochettino.
Nottingham Forest appear set to move quickly to secure a new manager. Their next match is against Arsenal, and the club aims to have leadership in place by then.
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