Nuno Espirito Santo sacked by Nottingham Forest | OneFootball

Nuno Espirito Santo has been sacked by Nottingham Forest just three games into the new Premier League season after a dramatic breakdown in his relationship with club owner Evangelos Marinakis.

Nuno guided Forest back into Europe for the first time in 30 years last season, having taken the club from the brink of relegation to a seventh-placed finish in the Premier League.

But Nuno expressed “concern” ahead of the new campaign and frustration at the club’s transfer activity over the summer, and admitted that his relationship with owner Marinakis had collapsed in an explosive press conference on 22 August.

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Nuno Espirito Santo has been sacked as Nottingham Forest manager (AP)

Nuno, who signed a new three-year contract in June, revealed his relationship with Marinakis had changed and they were “not as close”, especially since the arrival of new head of football Edu Gaspar, the former director of Arsenal.

He also said “when there’s smoke, there’s fire” regarding reports of his exit, which has now been confirmed by the club.

Nuno remained in charge for the 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace and the 3-0 home defeat to West Ham before the international break, with Nuno departing ahead of Forest’s trip to Arsenal on Saturday.

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Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis’ (left) and Nuno saw their relationship deteriorate (AFP/Getty)

Forest said in a statement: “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.”

The Portuguese manager was well liked in the Forest dressing room, with midfielder Elliot Anderson stating he was hopeful that Nuno would still be at Forest upon his return from international duty with England.

Nuno previously expressed that he had no regrets over 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."

Nuno and Marinakis have previously shared the headlines, with the Greek billionaire marching onto the pitch following a close-season game with Leicester to animatedly remonstrate with his manager. It later transpired that this was over how Taiwo Awoniyi’s serious abdominal injury was treated by those involved, with Forest at the time branding any talk of a “confrontation” as fake news.

Marinakis is said to already be lining up replacements, with Ange Postecoglou and Jose Mourinho both heavily linked with the role.

Postecoglou was sacked as from his Tottenham post just 16 days after guiding the club to the Europa League last term - a triumph that didn’t absolve the Aussie of the dire domestic campaign Spurs had endured - while ex-Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid manager Mourinho parted company with Fenerbahce at the end of August.