Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo during a match in the 2024/25 Premier League season. Getty Images via ESPN
Credit: Getty Images via ESPN
Nottingham Forest have dismissed head coach Nuno Espirito Santo following a public fallout with owner Evangelos Marinakis over transfer strategy just three games into the 2025/26 Premier League season.
Nottingham Forest Dismiss Nuno Espirito Santo Following Public Owner Dispute
Nottingham Forest have officially relieved Nuno Espirito Santo of his duties as head coach following an irreparable breakdown in his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis, with Sky Sports confirming the dismissal came after Nuno publicly criticised the club’s transfer policy. The Portuguese manager’s tenure ended abruptly just three matches into the new Premier League campaign, despite signing a new contract in June 2025 after guiding Forest to Europa League qualification.
The public dispute escalated when Nuno openly described Forest’s £118 million summer recruitment as leaving the squad “unbalanced” and “very, very far” from being ready for the season. Marinakis was reportedly “deeply hurt and angered” by these criticisms, particularly as they were aired publicly twice within a week, fundamentally damaging the personal trust between the two men that had previously underpinned their successful partnership.
Forest’s official statement thanked Nuno for his “pivotal role” in the club’s historic 2024/25 season, acknowledging he will always have “a special place” in the club’s history while citing “recent circumstances” as the reason for his departure. The manager himself had acknowledged the speculation surrounding his position was real, stating “when there’s smoke, there’s fire” and admitting his relationship with Marinakis was “not the same” and “not so good” as the previous campaign.
Despite the significant summer investment in players including Omari Hutchinson (£37.5m) and James McAtee (£30m), Nuno maintained he had “no regrets” about speaking out against the club’s approach. Reports indicate that midfielder Elliot Anderson had expressed hope during international breaks that Nuno would remain, suggesting the manager retained dressing room support despite the boardroom tensions.
Ange Postecoglou is expected to be appointed as Forest’s new head coach imminently, according to multiple reports, as the club moves swiftly to resolve the managerial situation ahead of their trip to Arsenal. The dismissal leaves Forest seeking stability after Nuno’s mixed start of three games yielded four points, including a 3-0 home defeat to West Ham that preceded the final breakdown in relations.
