Nottingham Forest are set for a dramatic dugout change after sacking head coach Nuno Espírito Santo, with Ange Postecoglou tipped for a swift Premier League return.
Nuno, who guided Forest to European qualification for the first time in 30 years with a seventh-place finish last season, became the first managerial casualty of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign. His dismissal followed mounting tensions with club owner Evangelos Marinakis and a disappointing start to the season, capped by a 3-0 home defeat to West Ham.
“Following recent circumstances, Nuno Espírito Santo has today been relieved of his duties as head coach,” the club announced in a statement early Tuesday. “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.”
British media report that Postecoglou, sacked by Tottenham in June just days after lifting the Europa League, is Marinakis’ top choice to succeed Nuno and could be appointed in time for Saturday’s clash against Arsenal.
Despite ending Spurs’ 17-year trophy drought, Postecoglou lost his job after the club’s worst league finish since 1976/77, placing 17th. His expansive attacking style would represent a sharp contrast to Nuno’s cautious but effective approach.
Nuno was appointed in December 2023 after Steve Cooper’s dismissal and steered Forest clear of relegation before masterminding their surprise European push last term.
However, tensions grew when Forest missed out on a Champions League spot, with Marinakis confronting Nuno after a 2-2 draw against Leicester. Nuno later criticised the club’s transfer dealings, calling his squad “unbalanced” despite 13 new arrivals under new sporting director Edu Gaspar.
“Our relationship has changed and we are not as close. Everybody at the club should be together but this is not the reality,” Nuno admitted last month.
Forest currently sit 10th in the Premier League on four points from three games. With Europa League football ahead, Marinakis is banking on Postecoglou’s European pedigree and Greek roots to lead Forest into a new era.
