Nottingham Forest Sack’s head coach Nuno Espirito Santo

Nottingham Forest fired head coach Nuno Espirito Santo after his working relationship with the owner of the club deteriorated.

«Nottingham Forest Football Club confirms that, after recent circumstances, Nuno Espirito Santo has been relieved today from his duties as head coach,» said the club in a statement released late on Monday. “The club thanks Nuno for his contribution during a very successful era in the city, in particular his role in the 2024-25 season, which will be remembered forever.

«If someone who played a crucial role in our success last season, he will always have a special place in our journey.»

The club has not released immediate details with a replacement as a head coach.

Forest is 10th in the Premier League classification with a victory, a draw and a loss prior to this weekend’s game in third place Arsenal.

Nuno acknowledged last month that he was concerned about his job security because of deteriorating relations with the owner of the club Evangelos Marinakis.

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The 51-year-old Portuguese coach last season led Forest to seventh place in the Premier League-where the club was safeguarded in Europe for the first time in 30 years.

Nevertheless, Nuno’s task was not safe, despite signing an improved contract in June, especially after criticizing the transfer activity of Forest outside the season and saying that the club wasted a good chance of developing.

«I always had a very good relationship with the owner, last season (it) was very, very, very close,» said Nuno for the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on 24 August. «This season, not so good. … And where there is smoke, there is fire.»

Marinakis, who is also the owner of Greek champion Olympiakos, is known in football as a great personality with strong opinions about how his clubs are run.

Nuno acknowledged last month that a working relationship that was «more based on trust and sharing opinions» was «now it is not so good».

Published on September 9, 2025