Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has been sacked after 21 months in charge – and just three games into the season.
Nottingham Forest have parted ways with head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, marking the first managerial departure of the current Premier League season. The decision came in the early hours of Tuesday, with the club releasing a statement confirming the end of Nuno’s tenure following what they described as “recent circumstances.” While the sacking may come as a shock to some, tensions between the Portuguese coach and the club’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, had reportedly been building for months.
Nuno took over at Forest in December 2023, stepping in after Steve Cooper’s dismissal. At that time, Forest were in a precarious position near the relegation zone. Nuno’s arrival brought a wave of optimism, and he quickly turned things around. Under his leadership, Forest finished seventh in the 2024/25 season — their best league finish in 30 years. That remarkable performance secured them a surprise place in the UEFA Europa League, thanks to a reshuffling of European spots after Crystal Palace’s demotion due to multi-club ownership violations.
The club acknowledged Nuno’s significant impact in their official statement, saying, “The club thanks Nuno for his contribution during a very successful era at the City Ground, in particular his role in the 2024/25 season, which will forever be remembered fondly in the history of the club.”
Nottingham Forest Football Club confirms that, following recent circumstances, Nuno Espírito Santo has today been relieved of his duties as Head Coach.
The Club thanks Nuno for his contribution during a very successful era at The City Ground, in particular his role in the… pic.twitter.com/catCyeaeR4
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) September 8, 2025
However, the strong foundation laid last season did not carry into the new campaign without issues. Behind the scenes, Nuno’s relationship with Marinakis appeared to grow increasingly strained. The first public signs of trouble emerged back in May, when Marinakis was seen confronting Nuno after a 2-2 draw with Leicester. The club denied any serious fallout at the time, calling the reports “fake news,” but the damage was already done.
During the summer, Forest underwent a significant squad overhaul. While 13 new players arrived, several key figures, including Anthony Elanga, Danilo, and Wayne Hennessey, were allowed to leave. The club’s new sporting director, Edu Gaspar, took charge of recruitment, and Nuno began to feel that his influence over team decisions was fading. He didn’t hide his frustration, describing the squad as “unbalanced” and expressing disappointment over the club’s transfer strategy.
In a telling interview last month, Nuno admitted that his relationship with Marinakis was not what it used to be. “Last season we were very close and spoke on a daily basis. This season it is not so well,” he said. “Everybody at the club should be together but this is not the reality.”
Despite hopes of a face-to-face meeting during the international break to resolve the issues, Sky Sports News reported that the meeting never happened. Instead, Marinakis made the call to end Nuno’s time at the club.
Forest currently sit 10th in the Premier League with four points from three games. However, a recent 3-0 defeat to West Ham — a side struggling themselves — may have been the final straw for the owner. The search for Nuno’s replacement is already underway. According to British media, former Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou is being considered for the job, alongside Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner and Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola. Edu Gaspar and chief football officer Ross Wilson will lead the appointment process.
With a tough fixture against Arsenal up next, Forest are moving fast to secure a new head coach and steady the ship. The team’s promising start and European adventure could still be salvaged, but it will take strong leadership and unity to keep the momentum going.
Nuno leaves the City Ground with his head held high, having delivered one of the most memorable seasons in recent club history. Though his departure comes amid controversy and tension, fans will remember his impact fondly. As Forest turn the page and prepare for a new chapter, all eyes are now on who will step in to lead them — and whether they can match, or even surpass, the legacy Nuno leaves behind.
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