A well-respected journalist has shed some light on why Nuno Espirito Santo was sacked by Nottingham Forest – and a clear favourite to replace him has emerged.
Nuno, 51, guided Nottingham Forest to a seventh-place finish during the 2024/25 campaign and initially qualified for the UEFA Conference League before essentially being promoted to the UEFA Europa League while Crystal Palace were demoted due to a breach of multi-club ownership rules, which was upheld on appeal by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
And Forest’s 2025/26 campaign has not started as well as fans may have liked, with the Reds currently boasting a record of one loss, one draw and one win from three Premier League fixtures.
Uncertainty about Nuno’s position began in August when he suggested that his and owner, Evangelos Marinakis’ relationship had “changed”.
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On August 22, Nuno told BBC Radio Nottingham: “What was really close - almost on a daily - unfortunately this season, after some things, is not the same."
There have also been suggestions that Nuno’s relationship with Forest’s new Global Head of Football, Edu Gaspar, was strained due to a disagreement about playing style and the profile of transfer targets.
In June, Nuno penned a new contract at the East Midlands club, and just over one month on from signing for three more years, the 51-year-old has been sacked by Forest.
At 12:15 am on Tuesday (September 9), the club released a statement confirming the Portuguese’s departure.
“Nottingham Forest Football Club confirms that, following recent circumstances, Nuno Espírito Santo has today been relieved of his duties as Head Coach,” read the statement.
“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.”
And with a trip to the Emirates where they will face Arsenal on Saturday to come, Marinakis will, no doubt, be keen to get a replacement in sooner rather than later.
‘Real’ reason why Nuno was sacked by Nottingham Forest
Earlier in August, BBC Sport reported that Nuno and Marinakis were due to meet over the international break to discuss the current situation.
However, according to Sky Sports’ Rob Dorsett, the Greek was said to be “furious” with Nuno, and the proposed meeting never took place.
Dorsett also reported that Marinakis has spent the last week deciding on what to do with regards to Nuno's future and "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".
Next permanent Nottingham Forest manager odds
Several current Premier League managers have been linked with a switch to the City Ground, with Fulham boss Marco Silva and Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner (8/1) reportedly among the contenders.
Meanwhile, former Spurs boss and 2025 Europa League winner Ange Postecoglou is the clear favourite at odds of 1/2 according to OLBG.
Jose Mourinho, who is currently out of work following his Fenerbahce exit, is also among the favourites, returning odds of 5/2.
Celtic boss Brandon Rodgers (4/1) and Sean Dyche (6/1) are also in the running.
Topics: Nottingham Forest, Nuno Espirito Santo, Premier League, Football, Ange Postecoglou, Jose Mourinho
Luke Davies