Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist

Nuno Espirito Santo was approaching two years in the Nottingham Forest hotseat.

The 51-year-old replaced the popular Steve Cooper in December 2023 and proceeded to win over the most sceptical of fans.

Nuno kept the club in the top flight despite a four-point deduction in 2023-24 and last season he reached an FA Cup semi-final and secured European football for the first time in 30 years.

"It took us a couple of years to find that stability," said Forest captain Ryan Yates upon qualifying for Europe. "It started the moment Nuno walked through the door.”

That stability has been temporarily replaced by uncertainty and Forest are now seeking the eighth permanent head coach of the Evangelos Marinakis era.

Nuno’s 73-game spell is the second longest under Marinakis and the average tenure of a Forest head coach under the Greek majority owner is just 55.4 games.

Image source, Getty Images

Despite last season's impressive campaign, Nuno Espirito Santo ends his time at Nottingham Forest with a lower win percentage than during his spells at Wolves and Tottenham.

Win percentage at each club

• Wolves - 47.7%
• Tottenham - 47%
• Nottingham Forest - 38.3%

From 73 games in charge at Forest, the Portuguese manager enjoyed 28 wins, 20 draws and suffered 25 losses.

However, since taking charge in December 2023, only eight other Premier League clubs have a higher points total than Forest.

Craig Nelson
BBC Sport reporter

It feels like a good moment to pause and reflect on Nuno's record at Nottingham Forest before looking at how it compares with Ange Postecoglou's at Tottenham.

We should also consider the two managers' style of play, how they compare and what changes Postecoglou could bring to the City Ground, if he is appointed as Nuno's successor...

Robert Earnshaw
Former Nottingham Forest striker on 5 Live Breakfast

I’m actually a big fan of Ange Postecoglou. I think what you could have is someone who fits quite well with Nottingham Forest.

Everyone’s going to look at the Tottenham thing, but you don’t look at that. When a manager loses a job, the next one they learn from it.

Image source, Getty Images

Craig Nelson
BBC Sport reporter

Football is, of course, a game of opinions.

Rob Earnshaw, for one, disagrees with Andy and believes Ange Postecoglou will have learned from his experiences at Tottenham...

Craig Nelson
BBC Sport reporter

Andy in North Yorkshire has already been in touch on this very subject.

Check out his view - to follow - on who Forest's next manager should be and give him a thumbs up if you agree, or thumbs down if you disagree...

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

Ange Postecoglou is emerging as a serious candidate to replace the sacked Nuno Espirito Santo at Nottingham Forest.

Nuno left his position as head coach at the City Ground late on Monday night and the club are advancing with their efforts to land a replacement.

Sources are indicating that Postecoglou, 60, is a strong candidate for the position.

Initial contact is understood to have taken place amid a sense an agreement is possible.

Postecoglou was sacked by Tottenham at the end of last season following a dismal Premier League season when they finished 17th.

However, the Australian led Spurs to a historic Europa League victory at the end of the season to end the club's long-running trophy drought.

Craig Nelson
BBC Sport reporter

Coming up is the latest on Nottingham Forest's "critical next move", as Rob Earnshaw describes it...

Robert Earnshaw
Former Nottingham Forest striker on 5 Live Breakfast

Image source, Getty Images

All the Forest fans will be very split. Of course, they will be shocked and sad and thinking 'wow, I can’t believe this has happened'.

I think everybody understands that Mr Maranakis has also done a great job. He’s put in the money, brought in lots of signings almost every transfer window and continues to push the club further and further.

Look back four or five seasons ago, we’re talking Championship, fighting relegation from the Championship, then fighting against relegation in the Premier League.

Now they're into Europe, he continues to really push the club forward, so it’s going to be a very split feeling with Nottingham Forest fans right now.

Many will be a fan of Mr Maranakis and Nuno as well.

It’s going to be a real critical move now for Nottingham Forest.

Image source, Getty Images

• December 2023 - Nottingham Forest part ways with Steve Cooper with the club 17th in the Premier League and appoint Nuno Espirito Santo as new manager
• December 2023 - Nuno makes an immediate difference, winning two of his first three games in charge: 3-1 away at Newcastle and then 2-1 at home to Manchester United
• March 2023 - Forest are docked four points for breaching Premier League profit and sustainability rules and drop into the relegation zone
• May 2023 - Nuno leads the club to safety despite the points deduction as they finish six points clear of Luton Town in 18th
• September 2024 - A statement is made at Anfield as Forest inflict Liverpool's first defeat of the season - the only loss Arne Slot's side would have in the league at home in 2024-25
• December 2024 - Forest have an incredible first half of the season under Nuno and finish 2024 third in the Premier League
• February 2025 - They respond to a heavy defeat against Bournemouth in January with a 7-0 victory against Brighton - their biggest ever victory in the Premier League and their biggest league win since 1991
• May 2025 - Despite a rocky end to the season, Forest finish seventh to secure European football - their highest finish in three decades
• June 2025 - Nuno signs a new three-year contract with Forest
• August 2025 - The manager reveals in a pre-match news conference that his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis "has changed"
• September 2025 - Forest confirm the sacking of Nuno after 21 months in charge

Robert Earnshaw
Former Nottingham Forest striker on 5 Live Breakfast

I’m very shocked to be honest with you. I’m really, really shocked.

I know a few weeks ago Nuno came out and said he wasn’t really in direct communication like he was last season with the owner Mr Marinakis. And everybody thought that was a fallout completely.

I took it as he was just being honest as ‘I’m the manager, I want to have more communication like it was last season'.

But at the same time, Edu, the global director of Mr Marinakis’ football clubs, there was a falling out with him rather than the owner.

So I’m a little bit shocked because these things and the job Nuno has done, I thought they would figure it out and mend the relationship with Edu.

And Edu’s just come in recently over the summer so it’s all brand new.

I’m very surprised, very shocked.

Craig Nelson
BBC Sport reporter

The overriding reaction to Nottingham Forest's decision to sack Nuno Espirito Santo seems to be a universal lack of shock or surprise.

However, former Nottingham Forest striker Rob Earnshaw told 5 Live Breakfast that while he noted the breakdown in relationship between head coach and chairman, he still did not see this coming...

Gloucester is a strong choice Hannah, there is no denying that. Obviously, as this is the BBC, I must add that other motorway service stations are available...

Ben Ramsdale
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Well, according to the bookmakers - we could have a return for a recently departed Premier League manager very soon.

Former Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou is the favourite in the current listings with a certain Jose Mourinho not so far behind...

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers, Sean Dyche and Fulham manager Marco Silva are all popular names among the betting while there are also a few shouts for Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner.

After all the drama with Marc Guehi in the summer transfer window - surely not...

Craig Nelson
BBC Sport reporter

The big question now is, who will be next to take the Nottingham Forest hot seat?

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest have appointed seven 'permanent' managers since Evangelos Marinakis took over the club in May 2017.

In addition, they have had three caretaker managers.

Here's a full list...

• Mark Warburton (March 2017 - December 2017)
• Gary Brazil (Caretaker, December 2017 - January 2018)
• Aitor Karanka (January 2018 - January 2019)
• Simon Ireland (Caretaker, January 2019 - January 2019)
• Martin O'Neill (January 2019 - June 2019)
• Sabri Lamouchi (June 2019 - October 2020)
• Chris Hughton (October 2020 - September 2021)
• Steven Reid (Caretaker, September 2021 - September 2021)
• Steve Cooper (September 2021 - December 2023)
• Nuno Espirito Santo (December 2023 - September 2025)

We have mentioned already that Nuno Espirito Santo caused quite a stir in August when he spoke very openly and honestly about his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis during one of his news conferences.

He admitted that their relationship had broken down over the summer and that they weren't as close this season as they were last.

The 51-year-old said that the situation was "not good".

Here is an excerpt from that news conference...