Nottingham Forest Sacks Manager Nuno Espírito Santo
nottingham Forest has dismissed manager Nuno Espírito Santo, the club announced Wednesday. The decision comes amid growing tensions with owner evangelos Marinakis and following a summer transfer window marked by significant investment and internal disagreements over recruitment strategy.
Nuno’s departure marks the end of a tenure that saw Forest secure qualification for the europa League for the 2025-26 season-a move facilitated by Crystal Palace‘s breach of multi-club ownership rules-despite a late-season slump in the 2024-25 campaign. However, a strained relationship with Marinakis, especially concerning transfer business, ultimately proved decisive.
Throughout the summer, Nuno publicly voiced concerns about the club’s transfer activity, stating they had “wasted a good chance.” Forest completed 13 signings for approximately £196 million based on reported initial fees, while also seeing Anthony Elanga, Danilo, and Wayne Hennessey depart.
The relationship between Nuno and Marinakis deteriorated significantly this season, a contrast too their close, daily interaction during the previous campaign. “Our relationship has changed and we are not as close,” Nuno stated recently. “Everybody at the club should be together but this is not the reality.”
prior incidents highlighted the growing friction, including a May 2024 pitch-side exchange following a 2-2 draw against Leicester City, initially described by the club as a discussion regarding a late injury to striker Taiwo Awoniyi. Nuno had previously expressed his fear for his job in August.
edu, appointed as Forest’s global head of football earlier in the summer, assumed firm control over the club’s recruitment operation, further contributing to the shift in dynamics.
