Nottingham Forest confirm big Nuno Santo decision - many Derby County fans have been quick to react | OneFootball

Derby County fans are hoping that Nottingham Forest's bold decision to sack Nuno Espirito Santo will backfire.

Many Derby County fans are hoping Nottingham Forest’s decision to sack Nuno Espírito Santo will backfire after he was controversially dismissed on Monday night.

The former Wolves coach had done a remarkable job at the City Ground, having initially kept Forest in the Premier League after succeeding Steve Cooper, and he then led the team to a top seven finish which brought European football back to Forest.

However, a disagreement with Evangelos Marinakis over the transfer policy cast doubt over Santo’s future, and it was announced that he has been sacked, with ex-Spurs chief Ange Postecoglou poised to take over.

Nuno Espírito Santo’s sacking at Nottingham Forest

As you would expect, this has been a notable talking point in the game, with many observers surprised at Forest’s decision due to the success that Santo brought to the club.

Naturally, it also had Derby fans talking, with the East Midlands outfit having no doubt looked on with envy at Forest’s rise in the past few years.

Generally, Derby had been the better of the two clubs in the past two decades, but following their promotion in 2022, the Reds have really kicked on, whilst the Rams had fallen into League One before returning to the second tier.

So, there is a big gap between Forest and Derby now in terms of league position, resources and the value of the playing squad.

But, as we have seen, things can change very quickly in the modern game, and Derby fans took to social media to share their hope that this could be the start of Forest’s demise, as one sarcastically questioned whether Postecoglou is good enough...

As well as that, despite the heavy investment that has gone into Forest this summer, one Derby fan even suggested that Forest could be facing a battle to stay in the Premier League after Santo's exit.

Another was quick to suggest this could be the start of Forest's 'implosion'.

Finally, a Derby fan stated it was a return to the 'circus' at Forest after the way things had gone under Marinakis in the past.

Evangelos Marinakis has taken a major risk by sacking Nuno Espirito Santo

As outlined above, this is a very risky call by Marinakis, and you can understand why many Derby fans are hopeful that this will be the start of a negative period for the club.

That's what football rivalry is all about, and Derby fans haven't had much to laugh at when it comes to Forest in recent years, although the Reds will be sure to remind them that there is still a big gap between the clubs.

Of course, the aim for Derby is to reach the Premier League, where the East Midlands derby could resume, and there will be a belief that they are heading in the right direction under John Eustace.

As for Forest, all connected to the club will be hoping Marinakis' gamble pays off, and it will be intriguing to see how things go under Postecoglou.