Nottingham Forest have sacked manager Nuno Espirito Santo after breakdown with owner Marinakis. Ange Postecoglou emerges as the leading candidate to take over.
1. The Breakdown — Context and Timing
Nottingham Forest have parted company with head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, just three games into the 2025–26 Premier League season. The decision follows a deeply strained relationship between Nuno and owner Evangelos Marinakis, further complicated by tensions with the club’s newly appointed Global Head of Football.
Despite guiding Forest to a seventh-place finish and Europa League qualification—their highest league standing in decades—Nuno’s public comments about a lack of squad balance and internal disagreements ultimately undermined his position.
2. Managerial Achievements Under Nuno
- Rescued Forest from relegation in the 2023–24 season, securing a 17th-place finish.
- In 2024–25, he orchestrated a remarkable season: beating Liverpool at Anfield, triumphing at Old Trafford, and becoming the first Forest manager to win three Premier League Manager of the Month awards in a single campaign.
- The season culminated in a return to European football after a 30-year hiatus.
Still, a shaky start this season—including a 3–0 defeat to West Ham and only four points from three matches—combined with deteriorating relations, hastened his exit.
3. Ideal Successors: Who’s Next at the City Ground?
Ange Postecoglou is the clear frontrunner for the Forest job. The former Tottenham manager, recently sacked despite winning the Europa League, is reportedly first-choice and shares a personal connection with Marinakis, including their Greek heritage. Betting markets mark him 1/2 favourite to take over.
Other prominent names in the mix include:
- Brendan Rodgers: Favoured by Marinakis; his availability may increase after Celtic’s Champions League exit.
- Jose Mourinho: Linked via his availability and status, though his return remains speculative.
- Other contenders: Oliver Glasner, Marco Silva, Mauricio Pochettino, and Andoni Iraola have also been mentioned.
4. Next Steps for Nottingham Forest
Forest are moving swiftly. The departure was confirmed via official statement, expressing gratitude for Nuno’s achievements, while confirming the search for a replacement to be concluded quickly—especially with European fixtures approaching.
5. Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
| Manager Departed | Nuno Espirito Santo |
| Reason for Exit | Breakdown with owner and football director; poor start to season |
| Achievements | Avoided relegation, reached 7th place, Europa League qualification |
| Leading Candidate | Ange Postecoglou |
| Other Candidates | Brendan Rodgers, Jose Mourinho, Marco Silva, Oliver Glasner |
| Timeline | Immediate exit; quick appointment expected |
6. Final Thoughts
Nottingham Forest’s decision to part ways with Nuno underscores the high-stakes nature of modern football management—where success on the pitch must align with harmony off it. As Postecoglou leads the charge for the role, the club appears poised toward another bold, high-profile appointment, aiming to build on recent domestic success and prepare for European challenges.
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