Nottingham Forest have sacked head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
The 51-year-old, who was handed a new contract this summer having guided Forest to the Europa League, said in August his relationship with co-owner Evangelos Marinakis was “not the same” and “not so good as it was [last season]”.
It followed Nuno’s open criticism of the senior figures at Forest overseeing their transfer strategy, saying his squad was “unbalanced” and “very, very far” from being ready for the new season.
Sky Sports News has been told that no one has yet been lined up as a replacement, but the club are hoping to move swiftly. Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino and Fulham’s Marco Silva are all widely admired by the Forest hierarchy.
Forest released a statement at 12.15am on Tuesday that read: “Nottingham Forest Football Club confirms that, following recent circumstances, Nuno Espirito Santo has today been relieved of his duties as head coach.
“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.”
Marinakis has spent the last week deciding if his relationship with Nuno could be resurrected, but Sky Sports News has been told that the Forest owner 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.
Nuno said in the second of those news conferences that his relationship with Marinakis was seriously flawed, and had deteriorated since the arrival of Edu Gaspar – the former technical director of Arsenal – as Marinakis’ right-hand man and head of global football.
Nuno said there was “no smoke without fire” amid reports his job was in jeopardy. Nuno admitted he had not spoken to Edu, and had no regrets about speaking out against his bosses.
“I said it, and I don’t regret it,” Nuno said. “For me, it’s important that everyone at the club shares the same vision and same commitment. I have to speak to the owner.”
Sky Sports News has been told that the meeting Nuno wanted with the Forest owner never happened. Instead, the Greek billionaire decided it was better to replace Nuno with a new head coach, feeling it was the only way to move the club forward.
Edu and chief football officer Ross Wilson will oversee the appointment of a new head coach.
Forest have taken four points from their opening three Premier League games and visit Arsenal on Saturday. His final game in charge was a 3-0 home loss to Graham Potter’s West Ham on August 31.
WATCH: Nuno’s final interview as Forest boss
In his final interview as Nottingham Forest boss, Nuno confirmed he was still in direct communication with owner Marinakis and stated his intent to remain committed to managing the club.
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Nuno said he was still in contact with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis and remained committed to the club
Nuno vs Marinakis: How the fall-out unfolded
August 15: In the first week of the Premier League season, Nuno Espirito Santo admits his “unbalanced” side have a “major problem” as the Premier League returns, warning they are “very, very far” from where they should be.
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Nuno Espirito Santo spoke frankly about the club’s failure to prepare sufficiently for the new Premier League season, saying they’re ‘very far’ from where they should be.
August 15: Forest then advance on a quadruple deal for Omari Hutchinson, Douglas Luiz, James McAtee and Arnaud Kalimuendo.
August 22: A week later, Nuno says his relationship with Nottingham Forest co-owner Evangelos Marinakis is “not the same” and admits “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” in response to reports his position at the club is under threat.
August 22: Marinakis is understood to be “baffled” by Nuno’s comments, and there has been no intention of sacking him as the club’s manager.
August 24: Nuno takes charge of Forest’s 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace – and calls for a goalkeeper and two full-backs to complete his squad in the transfer window.
August 29: After Forest’s Europa League draw, Marinakis says Nuno is the “right man for the job” and “everything is solid” between him and the head coach. He also admits there are talks planned during the international break.
August 31: In what would end up being his final interview as Forest boss, Nuno revealed his desire to stay on in the job and said there was direct communication with Marinakis.
September 1: Forest deliver on Nuno’s demands for two full-backs and a goalkeeper on Deadline Day – completing deals for Nicolo Savona, Oleksandr Zinchenko and John Victor, while winger Dilane Bakwa also joins.
September 8: Nuno is sacked as Forest head coach.
What did Nuno say to ‘baffle’ Marinakis?
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Nuno said he was not as close to Marinakis compared to last season
Nuno said in August his relationship with Marinakis was “not the same” and admitted “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” in response to reports his position at the club is under threat.
“We know each other very well, and we have all been in the industry for a while now,” he said ahead of their game against Crystal Palace.
“And where there’s smoke, there’s fire, so I know how things work, but I’m here to do my job. I understand, because I’m worried. I’m the first one to be worried. I’m the first one to be concerned.”
When questioned about the rift in his relationship with Marinakis, Nuno went on to add: “I always had a very good relationship with the owner, last season was very close. This season, not so well. No, it’s not [good].
“I don’t know exactly, but I’m being honest with you. I cannot say that is the same, because it’s not the same. The reason behind it, I don’t know.
“I always believe that dialogue and what you say or your opinion, is always valid, because my concern is the squad and the season that we have ahead of us, but our relations have changed.
“I’m being honest with you, I cannot say that is the same, because it’s not the same. The reason behind it, I don’t know.
“The reality is that it is not what it used to be. What it used to be was a good, respectful relationship, but was more based on trust and sharing opinions, and now it’s not so good.”
Forest’s next 10 fixtures
September 13: Arsenal (A), Premier League, kick-off 12.30pm
September 17: Swansea (A), Carabao Cup third round, kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports
September 20: Burnley (A), Premier League, kick-off 3pm
September 24: Real Betis (A), Europa League, kick-off 8pm
September 27: Sunderland (H), Premier League, kick-off 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports
October 2: Midtjylland (H), Europa League, kick-off 8pm
October 5: Newcastle (A), Premier League, kick-off 2pm, live on Sky Sports
October 18: Chelsea (H), Premier League, kick-off 12.30pm
October 23: FC Porto (H), Europa League, kick-off 8pm
October 26: Bournemouth (A), Premier League, kick-off 2pm, live on Sky Sports