Nottingham Forest have parted ways with head coach Nuno Espirito Santo after 21 months in charge, following weeks of speculation about his strained relationship with club owner Evangelos Marinakis.
The Portuguese tactician, 51, joined Forest in December 2023 after Steve Cooper’s dismissal and immediately steered the club away from relegation danger.
Last season, he masterminded Forest’s seventh-place finish in the Premier League — their best league position since 1995 — and secured European football for the first time in three decades. His success earned him a new three-year contract in June.
However, despite the progress on the pitch, tensions behind the scenes proved decisive. Nuno recently admitted that his relationship with Marinakis had changed” and was no longer as close as in his first season.
Reports suggest disputes over transfer dealings and recruitment strategy were at the heart of the breakdown.
Forest confirmed Nuno’s exit in a late-night statement, thanking him “for his contribution during a very successful era at the City Ground and adding that he would always hold a special place in the club’s journey.
The club, currently 10th in the Premier League after a 3-0 home defeat to West Ham before the international break, are already in advanced talks to appoint a replacement. Former Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou is among the contenders.
During the summer window, Forest spent around £196 million on 13 signings, while also offloading several players including Anthony Elanga, Danilo and Wayne Hennessey. Nuno, however, publicly criticised the recruitment policy, claiming the club had “wasted a good chance.
The situation worsened after Marinakis appeared to confront him on the pitch during a 2-2 draw with Leicester in May, though the club later denied any clash, calling reports of a confrontation fake news.
Nuno leaves with his legacy intact as the coach who re-established Forest as a Premier League force, even though internal divisions ultimately cut his tenure short.
