Nuno Espirito Santo sacked as Nottingham Forest head coach

Nuno Espirito Santo’s departure: what happened at Nottingham Forest?

Nottingham Forest have ended their partnership with head coach Nuno Espirito Santo less than two years after his appointment. The decision came amid growing tensions between Nuno and club co-owner Evangelos Marinakis, culminating in a public fallout that surprised many within the Forest camp. This article explores the timeline of events, the reasons behind the split, and what this means for the club moving forward.

The rise and challenges under Nuno Espirito Santo

When Nuno Espirito Santo took charge at Nottingham Forest in December 2023, optimism was high. His previous successes, including guiding teams into European competitions, suggested he could help Forest re-establish themselves in the Premier League and on the continental stage. Indeed, under Nuno’s leadership, Forest qualified for the Europa League last season—a significant achievement for the club.

However, the 2025/26 season began with mixed results. Forest secured just four points from their first three Premier League matches, highlighting an unbalanced squad that Nuno himself admitted had "a major problem." The team’s style and results raised questions about consistency and readiness for top-flight competition.

Public rift with Evangelos Marinakis

The relationship between Nuno and Evangelos Marinakis, co-owner of Nottingham Forest, began to show cracks in August 2025. Nuno openly admitted his rapport with Marinakis was "not the same" as the previous season, describing it as "not so good." This candid revelation was unusual in professional football, where such disagreements are typically kept behind closed doors.

Nuno’s statement left Marinakis "baffled" and created uncertainty about the coach’s commitment. While Marinakis initially expressed confidence in Nuno’s role, insisting "everything is solid" and that Nuno was "the right man for the job," the cracks in communication proved too significant to overcome.

Key moments in the breakdown

• August 15: Nuno acknowledges squad issues early in the season.
• August 22: Nuno publicly questions his relationship with Marinakis and hints at internal tensions.
• August 29: Marinakis reaffirms his support for Nuno following Europa League qualification.
• September 1: Forest strengthen their squad, signing key players including a goalkeeper and full-backs, as per Nuno’s requests.
• September 8: Nuno Espirito Santo is sacked as head coach.

Impact on the club and what lies ahead

Nuno’s dismissal leaves Nottingham Forest at a critical juncture. The club had hoped to build on their Europa League qualification and consolidate their Premier League status, but instability in management threatens that progress. Forest’s next fixtures, including a challenging away game at Arsenal, will test the squad’s resilience under new leadership.

From a strategic perspective, the club’s transfer activity shows a commitment to strengthening the squad, with signings such as Nicolo Savona, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and John Victor arriving on deadline day. These moves indicate an ambition to compete at a higher level despite recent setbacks.

Why did the relationship deteriorate?

While exact details remain confidential, several factors likely contributed to the fallout. Nuno cited a loss of trust and a breakdown in dialogue with Marinakis. In football clubs, especially at the Premier League level, alignment between management and ownership is crucial for long-term success.

Differences in vision for the club, pressure from early-season results, and perhaps disagreements over transfer strategies may have all played a part. Nuno’s openness about the "smoke" signalling "fire" suggests that unresolved issues had been simmering for some time before the public became aware.

Lessons for clubs and managers

This episode offers valuable insights into the importance of clear communication and mutual respect between coaches and owners. High-profile cases like this underscore how fragile such relationships can be, especially when performance pressures mount.

For Nottingham Forest, moving forward means finding a head coach who can not only manage the squad effectively but also foster a positive, collaborative relationship with ownership. This stability will be key to realising the club’s ambitions both domestically and in Europe.

Conclusion: a new chapter for Nottingham Forest

Nuno Espirito Santo’s tenure at Nottingham Forest ended abruptly, highlighting the challenges of managing a Premier League club with ambitious goals. His departure after a public disagreement with Evangelos Marinakis serves as a reminder of the delicate balance required between ownership and coaching staff.

Forest now face the task of rebuilding trust internally and maintaining momentum on the pitch. Fans and stakeholders alike will be watching closely as the club navigates this transition and seeks to return to winning ways.

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