Nottingham Forest have parted ways with head coach Nuno Espirito Santo after 21 months in charge, the club confirmed in a statement released shortly after midnight on Tuesday.
“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,” the statement read.
The Portuguese tactician, 51, becomes the first Premier League manager to lose his job this season, just two weeks after acknowledging a strained relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis.
Nuno was appointed in December 2023 following the dismissal of Steve Cooper and successfully steered Forest away from relegation.
Last season, he guided the club to a seventh-place Premier League finish their best since the 1994/95 campaign earning Forest a first European qualification in three decades. Initially set for the Conference League, they were instead handed a Europa League spot after Crystal Palace were sanctioned for breaching UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules.
“The 2024/25 season will forever be remembered fondly in the history of the club,” Forest added. “As someone who played a pivotal role in our success last season, Nuno will always hold a special place in our journey.”
Forest currently sit 10th in the league after three matches, with Nuno’s final game a 3-0 defeat to West Ham.
