Nuno Espirito Santo has been sacked by Nottingham Forest three games into the new season after his relationship with club owner Evangelos Marinakis deteriorated – and his replacement has already been lined up. Former Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou was the top target and will return to the Premier League to take the job. He will be confirmed as the new head coach imminently and will be in the dugout for his first match against Arsenal this weekend, with Marinakis thought to be furious after Nuno’s public criticisms.
Nuno took over from Steve Cooper at the City Ground in 2023 and staved off relegation. Last year, the Portuguese boss guided the club to an unexpected seventh-placed finish after being in the top four for a large portion of the campaign. However, Nuno admitted in August that his working relationship with Marinakis was on the ropes following the arrival of global head of football Edu. This public outing infuriated the club’s owner. Despite the Greek billionaire publicly backing his manager, Nuno has now lost his job, and set about finding a successor quickly.
Former Celtic and Spurs manager Postecoglou topped the list of Nuno replacements and will take the job in the Midlands after leaving Tottenham just a few months ago.
Postecoglou has been linked with a host of Premier League jobs since he was let go by Spurs in the summer despite a historic Europa League final victory over Manchester United. The 60-year-old had reportedly received offers from overseas but remains intent on returning to the English top flight, in which his Tottenham side finished 17th last season.
Marinakis decided on the Australian after becoming ‘furious’ with Nuno for publicly criticising their relationship and Forest’s transfer policy.
Other coaches supposedly admired before Postecoglou was picked as the No.1 target were Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, Fulham head coach Marco Silva and Mauricio Pochettino, who currently heads the US national team.
Forest released a statement late last night confirming Nuno’s departure. It read: “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.”
Nuno started the season with a mixed bag, picking up four points from three. But it appears his correspondence with Marinakis saw him lose his job. He publicly admitted that Forest had a “major problem” ahead of the new season, after claiming Marinakis was “not the same” as the prior term.
The Portuguese manager himself acknowledged that his job may have been at risk before his exit was confirmed, admitting last month regarding sack rumours: “When there’s smoke, there’s fire.”