Nottingham Forest have officially sacked head coach Nuno Espírito Santo, the club announced today. The Portuguese coach, who guided Forest into Europe last season, leaves after just three Premier League matches of the 2025/26 campaign.
The statement thanked Nuno for his role in a “very successful era,” particularly the 2024/25 season that delivered European football to The City Ground for the first time in decades. But despite those achievements, tension behind the scenes with Evangelos Marinakis has now come to a head.
Forest currently sit 10th in the Premier League table with one win, one draw and one defeat. Yet results were never the primary issue.
Tense Relationship with Marinakis
This news follows up FootballPlace’s report on 24 August highlighting Nuno’s “tense relationship” with the Forest hierarchy. At the time, BBC Sport sources confirmed Marinakis had grown frustrated with aspects of Nuno’s management, while senior players were also aware of uncertainty around his future.
Back then, Nuno admitted he would hold talks with Marinakis and global head of football Edu to align over transfers. Those meetings appear to have failed to resolve the tension.
“As someone who played a pivotal role in our success last season, he will always hold a special place in our journey.” — Nottingham Forest statement
Why Forest Pulled the Trigger
Despite guiding Forest to a European finish, Nuno’s style and approach reportedly clashed with Marinakis’ long-term vision. Transfer disagreements and the direction of squad planning were central sticking points.
Forest’s ownership had also been assessing other managerial options since the summer, with concerns that Nuno’s pragmatic style may limit the club’s ambitions.
Forest 2025/26 Record Under Nuno
| Competition | Played | W | D | L | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Total | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | – |
source: Premier League table – 8 September 2025
A mixed start to the season hardly justified a sacking on results alone, but off-field issues clearly proved decisive.
Analyst Verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William says the dismissal is more about politics than performance:
“Nuno’s record shows stability — 10th after three matches is not alarming. But when a manager loses alignment with the owner and transfer chiefs, the end usually comes quickly. Marinakis clearly wants a more progressive project manager, and this split was inevitable once trust eroded.”
Key Insights
- Nottingham Forest sack Nuno after just three games of the new season.
- Despite European qualification in 2024/25, tension with owner Marinakis proved decisive.
- Forest are 10th in the Premier League (W1, D1, L1).
- Nuno had already admitted to transfer alignment talks that failed to resolve issues.
- Forest board now seek a long-term replacement to match their ambitions.
What’s Next for Forest?
Attention now turns to who replaces Nuno. Forest’s board are expected to move quickly, with a shortlist already in mind since the summer. Names linked previously include Jose Mourinho and Ange Postecoglou.
With European commitments looming and a demanding domestic schedule, Forest cannot afford a drawn-out search. Whoever arrives will inherit a squad capable of pushing for top-half finishes — but also a club with high expectations and a demanding owner.
👉 Who should Nottingham Forest appoint to replace Nuno — a pragmatic safe pair of hands or a bold, attacking visionary?
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 9 Sep 2025 06:34
I dont think they'll go for Mourinho, his football is outdated, probably will be Ange, they even share the same nationality.
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