By Nottingham Forest have sacked head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, Nuno said in August his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis had changed, leaving the co-owner baffled by the statement; Forest admire Oliver Glasner, Andoni Iraola, Mauricio Pochettino and Marco Silva as Nuno replacement.
The 51-year-old, who was handed a new contract this summer after guiding Forest to the Europa League, said in August his relationship with co owner, Evangelos Marinakis was ”not the same” and ”not so good” as it was.
It followed Nuno’s open criticism of the senior figures at Forest overseeing their transfer strategy, saying his squad was “unbalanced” and “very, very far” from being ready for the new season.
It was reported that no one has yet been lined up as a replacement, but the club are hoping to move swiftly, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino and Fulham’s Marco Silva are all widely admired by the Forest hierarchy.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s Managerial record in all competitions at Nottingham Forest
Forest released a statement at 12.15am on Tuesday that 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.”
Marinakis has spent the last week deciding if his relationship with Nuno could be resurrected, but it has been told that the Forest owner was deeply hurt and angered by his head coach speaking out against him and the club in public twice in the space of seven days.
Nuno said in the second of those news conferences that his relationship with Marinakis was seriously flawed, and had deteriorated since the arrival of Edu Gaspar, the former technical director of Arsenal, as Marinakis’ right-hand man and head of global football.
Nuno said there was “no smoke without fire” amid reports his job was in jeopardy, Nuno admitted he had not spoken to Edu, and had no regrets about speaking out against his bosses.
“I said it, and I don’t regret it,” Nuno said. “For me, it’s important that everyone at the club shares the same vision and same commitment. I have to speak to the owner.”
It was reported that the meeting Nuno wanted with the Forest owner never happened. Instead, the Greek billionaire decided it was better to replace Nuno with a new head coach, feeling it was the only way to move the club forward.
