Nuno Espirito Santo Departs Nottingham Forest: Reasons, Club Statement and Tenure Analysis

Nottingham Forest has parted ways with their manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, after 20 months, following reports of tensions between the manager and the owners of the club. Forest on Tuesday, announced in a statement, “Nuno Espírito Santo has been relieved of his duties as Head Coach and 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.”

The former Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has been strongly linked as a replacement for the Portuguese manager. Despite ending the club's trophy drought with triumph in the Europa League, the Australian has been unemployed since being fired in June for managing a 17th-place Premier League result the previous season.

Reason Behind Nuno Espirito Santo's Departure

The breakdown of Nuno Espirito Santo's relationship with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was the root reason for his exit from Nottingham Forest. Before the club's European competition, the news indicates that there are disagreements over transfer policy and strategic direction. Even after renewing his contract in June 2025, Nuno announced in August that his relationship with Marinakis had soured and that there was no harmony within the club, putting his job in doubt. “I always had a very good relationship with the owner – last season we were very close and spoke on a daily basis. This season it is not so well,” Nuno said. He added: "Our relationship has changed, and we are not as close. Everybody at the club should be together, but this is not the reality."

Last Season's Rift With Evangelos Marinakis

In May of last year, after a 2-2 draw with Leicester at the City Ground, Evangelos Marinakis seemed to confront Nuno on the pitch. Forest then stated that the owner was upset because striker Taiwo Awoniyi had proceeded to play after suffering an injury in the 88th minute that needed "urgent" surgery. According to the club, there was "no confrontation" and any suggestion that there was was "fake news".

Nuno Espirito Santo's Tenure at Nottingham Forest

Nuno Espirito Santo was hired at Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest in December 2023, with the club in chaos, 17th in the Premier League and struggling. Despite being penalised four points for financial irregularities, he led Forest to safety, to 17th and six points clear of the drop zone. The following season, Nuno orchestrated an incredible turnaround, getting the club to seventh place and European qualification since 1996. Highlights included claiming four points from Liverpool, beating Manchester United at home and away, and beating Manchester City at home. Forest also made it to the FA Cup semi-finals, losing to City at Wembley. During his 73-game tenure, Nuno accumulated 28 wins, 20 draws, and 25 losses, reviving the fortunes of the club and casting an enduring shadow.