Nottinghamshire

David Jackson
BBC Radio Nottingham reporter

Image source, Getty Images

While the news of Nuno Espirito Santo's sacking by Nottingham Forest isn't a huge surprise given the Portuguese's comments about his relationship with the owner, it still comes as a shock and a reminder of how quickly things can change in football.

Until that first pre-match news conference of the season, supporters were enthusiastic about the forthcoming campaign and the prospect of European football for the first time in three decades.

Yes, there were a few worries about the size of the squad, but there was confidence from most people that that would be sorted before the end of the transfer window.

That confidence was justified when Forest unveiled Omari Hutchinson and James McAtee on the pitch before a sizzling performance against Brentford.

So, all sorted then? Well, apparently not and Nuno's relationship with sporting director Edu and owner Evangelos Marinakis clearly still needed work.

With talks between them imminent but the problem seemingly not easily fixed, the international fortnight was always going to be make or break for Nuno, especially after the bewildering nature of the defeat by West Ham.

Now they have four away games in the space of 12 days, starting with a match at Arsenal - where Forest have not won since 1989 - and ending in Seville with a Europa League game against Real Betis.

Whoever comes in will inherit a strong squad and a noisy, expectant fanbase, but also very little time to settle in and get their ideas across.

Watch Nuno discussing his future when answering BBC East Midlands Today questions in his final news conference as Forest boss below...

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest are on the hunt for their next manager, following the decision to sack Nuno Espirito Santo after 21 months in charge.

After taking charge in December 2023, the Portuguese head coach helped the Reds maintain their top-flight status, guided them to their highest finish since 1994-95, and brought European football to the City Ground for the first time in three decades.

The 51-year-old's position had been uncertain for two weeks, though, after he admitted his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis had deteriorated.

The appointment of Nuno's replacement is imminent, with former Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou one of the names in the frame.

What do you make of the decision to sack Nuno? Was it the right time to make a change or do things seem a little rash?

Who would you like to see take charge next?

Let us know your thoughts here

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

In just under two years, Nuno Espirito Santo guided Nottingham Forest from a relegation battle back into Europe for the first time in 30 years.

He leaves beloved by Forest fans but after a clear breakdown in relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis.

He created a siege mentality which served Forest well and, despite both being big characters, it appeared a perfect match between him and Marinakis.

Last season's shock European challenge ended in missing out on Champions League football on the final day, a finish which may now have been crucial to Nuno's future.

Forest still finished seventh and reached the Europa League - being promoted to the competition after Crystal Palace's demotion - but for Nuno, the club did not prepare quickly enough this summer.

Successive swipes in news conferences about the club's slow movement in the summer transfer market included the revelation that his relationship with Marinakis had changed.

It was a shock, given how guarded the Portuguese manager usually is.

Forest spent more than £180m this summer, but Nuno was unhappy with being unable to integrate his new players swiftly enough.

Suggestions of a rift with Edu, Nottingham Forest's global sporting director, lingered and the 3-0 defeat by West Ham last week was the worst performance of his reign, coming before talks with Marinakis about the club's future direction following his comments.

Nuno said, although not entirely convincingly, that he expected to be in charge for Saturday's trip to Arsenal - but Forest's future is now without him.

A search for his replacement is not expected to be a lengthy one, with former Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou previously linked.

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Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Despite Nottingham Forest's success on the pitch during Nuno Espirito Santo's time as manager, his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis became increasingly strained.

In August, Nuno revealed he feared for his job.

Internal tensions at the club were believed to be centred around disagreements over their transfer business. Nuno had previously criticised the club's activity in the summer transfer window, saying they had wasted a good chance.

Edu was appointed as Forest's global head of football earlier in the summer and has taken firm control over the club's recruitment operation.

"I always had a very good relationship with the owner - last season we were very close and spoke on a daily basis. This season it is not so well," Nuno said in a news conference (watch that clip below).

"Our relationship has changed and we are not as close. Everybody at the club should be together, but this is not the reality."

In total, Nottingham Forest made 13 summer signings for about £196m, based on reported initial fees.

As for their outgoings, Anthony Elanga, Danilo and Wayne Hennessey were among the players whose Forest careers ended this window.

In May, Marinakis appeared to confront Nuno on the pitch following a 2-2 draw against Leicester City at the City Ground.

Forest later said the incident was because of the owner's frustration that striker Taiwo Awoniyi had continued to play following an 88th-minute injury, which subsequently required what was described as "urgent" surgery.

The club said there was "no confrontation" and it was "fake news" to suggest otherwise.

However, those missed points against an already-relegated side were part of a run that saw Forest - who had been in contention for Champions League qualification - only pick up eight points from their last eight matches of the 2024-25 campaign.

They qualified for the Conference League but were moved into the Europa League for 2025-26 at Crystal Palace's expense, after the Eagles were deemed to be in breach of multi-club ownership rules.

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