First Premier League manager sacked in shock decision | OneFootball

Nuno Espirito Santo Sacked by Nottingham Forest After Breakdown with Marinakis

Fractured relationship ends 21-month tenure

Nuno Espirito Santo has been sacked by Nottingham Forest after 21 months in charge, bringing to an end a tenure that had swung from relegation battles to European qualification. The Portuguese coach’s departure was confirmed shortly after midnight, with Forest thanking him for his role in “a very successful era at the City Ground.”

While results on the pitch had often been positive, his deteriorating relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis ultimately dictated the outcome. The tension between the pair had been public for weeks, with Nuno openly acknowledging their fractured connection.

From relegation fears to Europe

When Nuno arrived in December 2023, Forest sat in 17th place and had just parted ways with Steve Cooper. Despite a four-point deduction for profit and sustainability breaches, he steadied the team and preserved their Premier League status.

His first full campaign brought a dramatic shift in fortunes. Forest finished seventh, their best position since 1995, and earned European football for the first time in three decades. Memorable victories included a 1-0 win at Anfield, a double over Manchester United, and a semi-final appearance in the FA Cup.

That success earned him a new three-year deal in June, but the optimism proved short-lived. Forest’s 3-0 home defeat to West Ham before the September international break exposed deeper issues and accelerated the end of his reign.

Internal disputes undermine progress

Despite investing heavily in the squad this summer, with reported spending of nearly £200 million on 13 signings, Nuno criticised the club’s recruitment strategy. His frustration grew after Edu was appointed as global head of football, assuming significant control over transfers.

Nuno admitted in August that his relationship with Marinakis had deteriorated, remarking:“Last season we were close and spoke every day. This season it is not the same. Everyone at the club should be together but this is not the reality.”

The owner’s presence on the touchline last May, after a costly 2-2 draw with Leicester, symbolised the strain. Though the club insisted there had been no confrontation, it underscored the growing disconnection at the top.

Success, scrutiny and next steps

Over 73 matches, Nuno delivered 28 wins, 20 draws and 25 defeats. Supporters admired his resilience, tactical organisation and ability to build a siege mentality that carried Forest through difficult periods. He leaves respected by the fanbase, but ultimately undone by disagreements off the pitch rather than failings on it.

Forest’s search for a successor is already advanced. Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has been strongly linked and an announcement is expected soon. Whoever steps in will inherit a squad reshaped by heavy investment, a fanbase energised by recent progress, and an ownership demanding both results and alignment.

For Nuno, this chapter ends abruptly but with credit for restoring Forest’s stature. For the club, attention now turns to ensuring their return to Europe does not prove a fleeting achievement.