Nuno Espírito Santo SACKED by Forest just three games into season after rift

NUNO ESPIRITO SANTO has been sensationally SACKED by Nottingham Forest.

Owner Evangelos Marinakis has swung the axe after Nuno revealed the pair's relationship had broken down to spark fears over his long-term future .

2 Nuno Espirito Santo has been sacked by Nottingham Forest Credit: Getty

2 Evangelos Marinakis is on the lookout for his next manager Credit: ALAMY

Marinakis then claimed the pair had a "solid relationship" - despite tensions behind the scenes between Nuno and transfer chief Edu .

But a dreadful 3-0 home defeat to West Ham before the international break appears to have been the final straw.

The club now face a desperate race to appoint a new manager before Saturday's visit to Arsenal at lunchtime on Saturday.

Leading candidates for the job include Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers , former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho and Ange Postecoglou who led Spurs to the Europa League last season.

In a brief statement, the club said: " 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 2024/25 season, which will forever be remembered fondly in the history of the Club.

"As someone who played a pivotal role in our success last season, he will always hold a special place in our journey."

Nuno, 51, only signed a new three-year deal to stay at the City Ground on June 21.

But just a month later he admitted his relationship with Marinakis was "not good" in an incendiary press conference.

He addressed rumours his job was at risk by admitting: "There is no smoke without fire - I know how things work."

Nuno added: "I always had a very good relationship with the owner - last season we were very close and spoke on a daily basis.

"This season it is not so well, but I always believe that dialogue is important because my concern is the squad and the season we have ahead of us. Our relationship has changed and we are not as close."

A week later Marinakis played down rumours of a rift and suggested Nuno was the man to lead Forest forward.

It is thought the breakdown in the relationship was caused by a rift between Nuno and newly-appointed Global Head of Football Edu - the ex-Arsenal technical director who joined this summer .

But cracks appeared back in May when Marinakis stormed the pitch and appeared to remonstrate with Nuno after a 2-2 draw with relegated Leicester dented their Champions League hopes.

Gary Neville branded the behaviour "scandalous" and urged Nuno to quit.

But the Greek owner released a statement claiming his actions were a result of a serious injury to striker Taiwo Awoniyi , who had been allowed to play on.

Nuno was in charge at the City Ground for almost two years and guided them back to European football .

SunSport previously revealed that Celtic and former Liverpool boss Rodgers will be a top target to replace Nuno.

Marinakis has a big, long-term admiration for the ex-Leicester manager, who would find it easier to leave Glasgow after the Scottish champions were dumped out of a Champions League play-off by Kazakhstan side FC Kairat.

Former Spurs bosses Postecoglou and Mourinho are also in the running .

Both are out of work, with Mourinho axed by Turkish side Fenerbahce at the end of last month.

It is understood that both Mourinho and Postecoglou would be keen on returning to the Premier League.

Nuno replaced promotion-winning manager Steve Cooper in December 2023.

He guided the club to Premier League survival in his first season in charge.

Here is all of the fixtures Nottingham Forest will be playing in for the Europa League league phase...

In his first full campaign in charge, he led the club to a seventh-place finish, having spent most of the season challenging for a Champions League place.

The club initially qualified for the Conference League but were promoted to the Europa League .

This was because Uefa demoted FA Cup winners Crystal Palace for breaking multi-club ownership rules.

Forest are back in action on Saturday as they travel down the M1 to North London to face Arsenal at the Emirates.

Their Europa League campaign kicks off on September 24 as they face Real Betis in Spain .

Marinakis lavished £201.8million on transfers in the summer window , with 13 new players arriving.

This includes the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko on loan from the Gunners and club record signing Omari Hutchinson .

However, neither of them was named in the club's squad for the Europa League league phase .

Here are all the players included in the Nottingham Forest squad for the Europa League...

GOALKEEPERS

DEFENDERS

MIDFIELDERS

FORWARDS