Nottingham Forest Sack Nuno Espírito Santo After Just Three Games of the Season
Nottingham Forest have parted ways with head coach Nuno Espírito Santo, just months after the Portuguese manager guided the club into European football. The 51-year-old becomes the first Premier League boss to lose his job this season, with the decision announced in the early hours of Tuesday.
Nuno, a former manager of Wolves and Tottenham Hotspur, was handed a new contract this summer after leading Forest to the Europa League. However, his tenure unravelled quickly, with public clashes over the club’s transfer strategy and a strained relationship with co-owner Evangelos Marinakis.
In August, Nuno openly admitted that his relationship with Marinakis was “not the same” and “not so good as it was [last season].” He also criticised senior figures at the club, describing Forest’s squad as “unbalanced” and “very, very far” from being ready for the new campaign.
Forest confirmed his dismissal in a statement released at 12:15am on Tuesday:
“Nottingham Forest Football Club confirms that, following recent circumstances, Nuno Espirito 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 2024/25 season, which will forever be remembered fondly in the history of the club. As someone who played a pivotal role in our success last season, he will always hold a special place in our journey.”
Behind the scenes, Marinakis had spent the past week weighing whether the relationship could be repaired. But sources told Sky Sports News that the Forest owner was “deeply hurt and angered” by Nuno’s public criticisms. The situation worsened after Nuno suggested that his working relationship had deteriorated following the arrival of Edu Gaspar, Arsenal’s former technical director, who joined as Marinakis’ head of global football.
Nuno admitted he had not spoken with Edu and said he had “no regrets” about voicing his frustrations. “I said it, and I don’t regret it,” he told reporters. “For me, it’s important that everyone at the club shares the same vision and same commitment. I have to speak to the owner.” That meeting with Marinakis never happened.
Instead, Marinakis chose to act decisively, concluding that a change was needed to move the club forward. Edu Gaspar and chief football officer Ross Wilson will now lead the process of appointing a new head coach.
Among those admired by the Forest hierarchy are Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner, Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino, and Fulham’s Marco Silva.
Nuno’s final match in charge was the 3-0 home defeat to Graham Potter’s West Ham on 31 August. Forest currently sit on four points from their opening three Premier League games and travel to Arsenal this weekend.