Nottingham Forest sack coach Nuno after rift with owner

Premier League side Nottingham Forest have sacked the club’s manager, Nuno Espirito Santo.

Nuno was sacked by Nottingham Forest in the early hours of Tuesday, becoming the first English Premier League manager this season to lose his job.

A statement issued by the club read: “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 had been in charge for 21 months at the City Ground, but two weeks ago, he said his relationship with the club’s owner, the Greek billionaire Evangelos Marinakis, had deteriorated.

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The 51-year-old manager took charge in December 2023 after Steve Cooper was sacked and went on to save the club from relegation.

Last season, the club finished seventh in the Premier League, their highest since 1994/95.

That secured a first European berth in 30 years, with a Europa League place handed to Forest instead of their initial Conference League spot, after Crystal Palace’s demotion for breaching UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules.

Forest sit 10th in the Premier League on four points after three games, but were soundly beaten 3-0 by struggling West Ham in Nuno’s last match in charge.

British media reported that talks had begun to appoint a successor quickly, with former Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou said to be among the candidates, along with Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner and Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola.

The Star