Aina, Awoniyi set for new boss as Nottingham Forest sack Nuno Espirito Santo

Two-time UEFA Champions League winners Nottingham Forest have parted ways with Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi's head coach, Nuno Espirito Santo, after almost two years, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Portuguese manager replaced Steve Cooper at the Forest dugout two years ago and took a side struggling with relegation to Europe last season, the first time they've achieved such a feat in almost 30 years.

As a result of his hard work, the club rewarded Nuno with a three-year deal ahead of the 2025/2026 season as they looked to march onward, but it appears things soured between the former Wolves coach and Mr Marinakis.

Evangelos Marinakis has handed Nuno Espírito Santo a new three-year contract until the summer of 2028. pic.twitter.com/SCYwWz4DRW

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) June 21, 2025

Just a few weeks ago, the 51-year-old mentioned his relationship with the Greek club owner is no longer the same, as he didn't feel heard.

“This season, not so well, but I always believe we can dialogue, and what we say is always valid because my concern is the squad and the season that we have ahead of us, but our relationship has changed.

“Yes, it's not so close, it's not on a daily basis, so it's not good. What it used to be was a good, respectful relationship, but it was more based on trust and sharing opinions, and now it's not so good.

“I think everyone at the club should be together, but it is not our reality,” Nuno concluded.

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In a statement on the club's official social media page, Nottingham Forest confirmed they've relieved Nuno Espirito Santo of his duties as the club's head coach.

Nottingham Forest Football Club confirms that, following recent circumstances, Nuno Espírito 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… pic.twitter.com/catCyeaeR4

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) September 8, 2025

Despite Nuno's initial statement on his derailed relationship with Mr Marinakis, the club owner maintained that the Portuguese was the man for the job. Barely two weeks later, he's now without a job.

It is rumoured that the rift intensified after the former Arsenal Director, Edu, was appointed as Forest's global head of Football at the start of July, which reduced Nuno's say on the transfers coming in and out of the club.

This summer alone, the club forked out over £190m worth of spending on new players, bringing in Omari Hutchinson, Arnaud Kalimuendo, James McAtee, Igor Jesus, Jair Cunha and Dan Ndoye.

The Reds were 17th in the Premier League following a run of just one win in 13 matches when Nuno Espirito was appointed to replace Steve Cooper in December 2023.

They finished the season in 17th, one place and six points above the relegation zone, after being handed a four-point deduction following a breach of the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) in April 2024.

In the following season, the City Ground rocked with pride, cheering Nuno on as they narrowly missed out on UEFA Champions League football, racking up 65 points, more than double what they achieved in the previous season (32).

Still, they reclaimed a spot in European football and will be playing in the UEFA Europa League for the first time since 1995.

According to John Brooks, former Tottenham manager, Ange Postecoglou is a leading candidate to take over the coaching reins at the City Ground, while Marinakis admires Fulham boss Marco Silva. Jose Mourinho has also been discussed. Forest have spent the international break sounding out several candidates