Manager Nuno Espirito Santo and Nottingham Forest have parted ways three games into the 2025/26 Premier League season – and he has been replaced by former Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou.
This comes after a notable public fallout in August when Nuno addressed the media in a post-match press conference, openly criticising the higher-ups at the club.
This included co-owner Evangelos Marinakis, as well as an additional occasion since then, where Nuno mentioned the situation had worsened since the hiring of head of global footballing operations, Edu Gaspar.
Initial fallout
Nuno condemned the transfer strategy at the club, mentioning his squad was “unbalanced” and “very, very far” from being in good shape ahead of the season.
“We know each other very well, and we have all been in the industry for a while now,” he said prior to Forest’s Matchweek two encounter against Crystal Palace, as quoted on Sky Sports.
“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.”
On his deteriorated relationship with Marinakis, he said: “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 it 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.
“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.”
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Doubling down
“I said it, and I don’t regret it,” Nuno said regarding his scathing public comments of the club.
“For me, it’s important that everyone at the club shares the same vision and same commitment. I have to speak to the owner.”
Forest thanks Nuno
Forest released a club statement on Tuesday, September 9 thanking Nuno for his efforts over the course of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.
The statement said: “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.”
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Forest hire Ange
Numerous high-profile managers had initially been touted to replace Nuno, with the Forest leadership holding Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino and Fulham’s Marco Silva in high regard.
But on Tuesday it was confirmed that former Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou will replace Nuno at Forest on a two-year deal, per Sky Sports News’ Rob Dorsett.
Postecoglou was previously reported to be the primary candidate to replace Nuno at the club, with his contract reported to run until 2027.
Marinakis hails Ange
Marinakis had already been deeply appreciative of Postecoglou and his managerial capabilities, with the Europa League winner’s family having Greek lineage.
“Angie has spoken many times about Greece. It is very important for a person to be proud and shout about his origins,” Marinakis said.
“He achieved it with a team that was not winning titles and was struggling. With this success with Tottenham, he made Greece proud.
“He is a very good coach and wherever he goes, he will make Greece proud.”
Postecoglou will oversee his first match as new Forest manager this weekend when he and his side head to the Emirates to face off against Arsenal on Saturday, September 13.
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