Nottingham Forest have dismissed head coach Nuno Espirito Santo following a deterioration in his relationship with club owner Evangelos Marinakis, becoming the first Premier League boss to be sacked this season.
Nottingham Forest Confirm Nuno’s Exit
The announcement came just after midnight on Tuesday through an official club statement. “Nottingham Forest Football Club confirms that, following recent circumstances, Nuno Espirito Santo has today been relieved of his duties as head coach,” it read.
The statement praised Nuno’s contribution during a “very successful era” at the City Ground, highlighting his pivotal role in steering the club to their best league finish in three decades.
Nuno’s Journey: From Relegation Fight to Europe
Nuno took over in December 2023 following the departure of Steve Cooper, a side in dire need of rejuvenation and battling relegation. His return proved to be a turning point, with Forest staying up before going on to experience an unforgettable 2024/25 season.
Forest ended seventh in the Premier League during the last season their highest position since 1994/95 and won a European spot for the first time since 30 years. They were initially granted a Conference League place, but subsequently upgraded to the Europa League when Crystal Palace was punished for violating UEFA’s multi-club ownership regulations.
This season will always be looked back on with affection in the history of the club,” the release stated, highlighting Nuno’s contribution to Forest’s resurgence.
Nuno vs Marinakis: Divide at the City Ground
In spite of the success, tensions between Nuno and Marinakis had been building for months. Rumors of a rift first emerged during May when Marinakis seemed to have a confrontation with Nuno on the field after a 2-2 draw against Leicester. The club later denied rumors of a confrontation, labeling it as “fake news.”
The Portuguese boss was also publicly critical of Forest’s summer transfer business. The club brought in 13 players under new sporting director Edu Gaspar but released important figures such as Anthony Elanga, Danilo, and Wayne Hennessey. Nuno cautioned the squad had grown “unbalanced,” comments that are said to have enraged Marinakis.
“Lately I always had a very good relationship with the owner… This season it is not so good. Our relationship changed and we are not so close,” Nuno confessed last month.
Nottingham’s Poor Start Seals Nuno’s Fate
Forest’s beginning of the new season has been varied. They are 10th in the Premier League with four points taken from three matches but were hurt in Nuno’s last game by a 3-0 loss to West Ham. British media indicated that a planned meeting between Nuno and Marinakis over the international break never materialized, with the owner preferring dismissal.
Who’s Next for Nottingham Following Nuno?
Focus now moves to who succeeds Nuno. Ange Postecoglou, who was Tottenham Hotspur’s former manager, has been touted for the role, as well as Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner and Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola.
Recruitment will be conducted by Edu Gaspar and chief football officer Ross Wilson. Forest’s next game is a testing away trip to third-placed Arsenal on Saturday.
