Nottingham Forest Sack Head Coach Nuno Espirito Santo

Last Updated:September 09, 2025, 07:36 IST

As per reports, Ange Postecoglou is among the leading candidates to replace Nuno Espirito.

Nuno Espirito took over in December 2023. (AP Photo)

Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo was dismissed by Nottingham Forest early on Tuesday after 21 months leading the Premier League club.

“The club thanks Nuno for his contribution during a very successful era," stated the club’s announcement released shortly after midnight.

Nuno is the first Premier League manager to lose his job this season, just two weeks after revealing that his relationship with club owner Evangelos Marinakis had deteriorated.

“Nottingham Forest Football Club confirms that, following recent circumstances, Nuno Espirito Santo has today been relieved of his duties as head coach," said the club.

The 51-year-old took over in December 2023 after Steve Cooper was sacked and successfully steered them away from relegation.

Last season, the club achieved a seventh-place finish in the Premier League, their best since 1994/95.

This secured their first European berth in 30 years, with a Europa League place granted to Forest instead of their initial Conference League spot, following Crystal Palace’s demotion due to UEFA’s multi-club ownership rule breaches.

“The club thanks Nuno for his contribution during a very successful era at the City Ground, particularly his role in the 2024/25 season, which will forever be remembered fondly in the history of the club," the statement continued.

“As someone who played a pivotal role in our success last season, he will always hold a special place in our journey."

Forest currently sit 10th in the Premier League after three games this season and were defeated 3-0 by West Ham in Nuno’s final match in charge.

British media reported that discussions had commenced to quickly appoint a successor, with former Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou among the candidates.

The former Tottenham manager Nuno had criticised Forest’s transfer activity since the end of last season, with new sporting director Edu reportedly taking a more hands-on role in signings.

“I always had a very good relationship with the owner. Last season we were very close and spoke daily. This season it is not so well," Nuno said of his interactions with Marinakis.

“Our relationship has changed and we are not as close. Everybody at the club should be together but this is not the reality."

However, Nuno later mentioned he had spoken to Marinakis over the phone and was confident that reports of his possible sacking were inaccurate.

“These kinds of things should be done at the right moment… we have the international break and I think that is the right moment."

With AFP Inputs

Feroz Khan

Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital...Read More

Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital...

Read More

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