Nottingham Forest part ways with coach Nuno Espirito Santo

Nottingham Forest have parted ways with head coach Nuno Espirito Santo following his public “showdown” with owner Evangelos Marinakis in August, according to Sky Sports.

Last month, Nuno Espirito expressed his displeasure while signalling “bad blood” between himself and owner Marinakis. A statement that has since left the co-owner “bemused.”

The former Wolves manager, who signed a new contract this summer after guiding Forest to the Europa League, said in August his relationship with co-owner Evangelos Marinakis was “not the same” and “not so good as it was [last season]”.

The 51-year-old coach’s comments reportedly left Forest chiefs “baffled” and led those within the club to question his commitment to the role. The Portuguese manager had only a few months remaining on his contract to reach two years at the City Ground since his appointment in December 2023.

Espirito Santo becomes the first Premier League manager to be sacked this season, a decision that comes just a week after their 3-0 disappointing home defeat by West Ham last weekend.

Forest are yet to make an official announcement regarding the news. Meanwhile, former Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou is a leading candidate to succeed Santo at the City Ground.

Aside from Postecoglou, several other managers, such as Fulham boss Marco Silva, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, and Jose Mourinho, are reportedly being discussed by the club.

Forest are poised to quickly find a replacement before they square it off against Arsenal at the Emirate Stadium in an early kick-off on Saturday.

Santo replaced Steve Cooper in the dugout and guided Forest to survival before earning a European berth in his first full season.

Across 71 matches as Forest manager, Espirito Santo achieved 30 victories and guided the team to the FA Cup semi-finals last season.