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Nuno sacked as Marinakis makes preferred choice on managerial replacement at Nottingham Forest

Nuno Espirito Santo has been sacked as Evangelos Marinakis makes his preferred choice on the managerial replacement at Nottingham Forest.

At 12:15am, Nottingham Forest confirmed the decision to part with head coach Nuno Espirito Santo after just three games into the 2025/26 season, following a 3-0 home loss to West Ham.

The club praised his 21-month tenure, which included avoiding relegation, finishing 7th last season, and qualifying for the Europa League, leading to a new three-year deal in June, despite a strained relationship with the owner.

Talks for a replacement are underway, with an appointment expected soon and former Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou among contenders.

A statement reads: “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 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.”

Jason Burt of the Telegraph states that it comes amid a breakdown in his relationship with the club’s hierarchy, including global head of football Edu.

Marinakis seeks a more attacking style. Other names like Brendan Rodgers and Jose Mourinho have been linked, but Ange Postecoglou is the preferred choice, and will want to make a quick appointment as Forest face Arsenal away this Saturday.

BBC Sport report that Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo criticised the club’s summer transfer window, claiming they missed a good opportunity due to slow signings that limited squad preparation time.

He noted a strained relationship with the owner compared to last season, stressing the need for club unity.

New global head of football Edu (ex-Arsenal) oversaw recruitment, with Forest spending £196m on 13 signings, while key departures were made.

Favourites to become new Nottingham Forest manager
9th September – Bet365
Ange Postecoglou – 2/5
Jose Mourinho – 4-1
Marco Silva – 8/1
Oliver Glasner – 14/1
Andoni Iraola – 16/1
Mauricio Potchettino – 16/1
Brendan Rodgers – 20/1
Sergio Conceicao – 25/1
Sean Dyche – 25/1

UPDATE – It’s since been reported that Ange Postecoglou will be confirmed as the new head coach, joined by a number of staff worked with at Tottenham Hotspur, and likely to sign 18-month contract.

Early in Forest’s 2024-25 season under Nuno, we saw squad concerns and tensions with owner Evangelos Marinakis.

On the 15th of August, Nuno admitted major imbalances as the team pursued transfers for Hutchinson, Luiz, McAtee, and Kalimuendo.

By the 22nd of August, Nuno hinted at a strained relationship amid job threat rumours, with Marinakis denying plans to sack.

After a 1-1 draw at Palace on August 24th, Nuno requested a goalkeeper and two full-backs.

Marinakis backing Nuno as the “right man” on the 29th of August, with talks planned.

And in what turned out to be Nuno’s his final interview on August the 31st, Nuno affirmed his desire to stay.

On the 1st of September, Forest signed the likes of Savona, Zinchenko, Victor, and Bakwa to address needs.

But on the 9th of September, the club confirmed the decision to part ways with Nuno.

Nuno said in August his relationship with Marinakis was “not the same” and admitted “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” in response to reports his position at the club is under threat. See more on that HERE.

“We know each other very well, and we have all been in the industry for a while now,” he said ahead of their game against Crystal Palace.

“And where there’s smoke, there’s fire, so I know how things work, but I’m here to do my job. I understand, because I’m worried. I’m the first one to be worried. I’m the first one to be concerned.”

On a rift in his relationship with Marinakis, Nuno added: “I always had a very good relationship with the owner, last season was very close. This season, not so well. No, it’s not [good].

“I don’t know exactly, but I’m being honest with you. I cannot say that is the same, because it’s not the same. The reason behind it, I don’t know.

“I always believe that dialogue and what you say or your opinion, is always valid, because my concern is the squad and the season that we have ahead of us, but our relations have changed.

“The reality is that it is not what it used to be. What it used to be was a good, respectful relationship, but was more based on trust and sharing opinions, and now it’s not so good.”

This is how Twitter users reacted as Nuno gets sacked after Marinakis makes his preferred choice on the managerial replacement at Nottingham Forest…

@SarcasticForest:
We have a lot to thank Nuno for. Last season was an absolute joy. European football and an FA Cup Semi Final, after finishing 17th. But this was inevitable. The media will blast Marinakis as usual, but Nuno’s comments and actions brought the mood of the club down. #NFFC
Ange – Defensive line so high it’s in the Trent.
Jose – Dinosaur tactics, but this app would be incredible.
Iraola – We might beat Bournemouth?
Glaser – Just for the banter.
Silva – Can bring Traore with him.
Poch – Matt turner return.
King Bill y- Unfinished Business III
#NFFC

@Nffcfamily: Thank you for achieving what you did for the club Nuno but When you go into a press conference and say the relationship is broken and we get players in to upgrade the squad and you went on in the next press conference wanting Adama then it only ends in one way

@_Bird93: Honestly not even bothered by this. 5 wins in 22 with negative tactics. With the squad we’ve got we need a more progressive manager. After some of the comments in the media no ones bigger than this club.

@TDale_99: Europa League squad tells me this is the right decision. Self sabotage to try and prove a point and didn’t think of what the team actually needed. Stale with the hierarchy and was never going to work once Marinakis had made his mind up. Thank you for last year but move on #nffc

@JaackB95: Woke up in the middle of the night to this… Best manager in my lifetime gone, every player improved under him, clubs gone from relegation fodder to competing in Europe in 18 months under him. I hope it’s all worth it

@ggdotcom6787:
We do not want Ange
We do not want Ange
We do not want Ange
#nffc

@paulmorley19: 4 years ago this week, #NFFC sacked Chris Hughton, bottom of the Championship with 1 point from 7 games. Nuno’s departure today on the back of European qualification and a big summer of investment leaves open arguably THE most attractive managerial vacancy in world football. What a bonkers transformation.

@TCGSweeney13: Releasing this at a quarter past midnight is a really poor showing when talking about a manager who’s done a fantastic job at the club. There will be LOTS of clubs out there wondering if they should make a change to bring Nuno in…

@C_Taphouse17: Gutted. No point getting attached to managers or players. Got us dreaming again, now back to square one. Most excitement for a season I’ve ever had and within 4 weeks it’s unraveling before my eyes #NFFC

@AO1865: Well, that’s that. The bloke made a rod for his own back but provided us with the best moments I’ve seen in my lifetime following this club, this next appointment needs to be the right one and based on the last 2 managers I trust the club wholeheartedly to get it right.

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