Nottingham Forest has parted ways with their head coach, Nuno Espírito Santo, after a reported fallout with owner Evangelos Marinakis. The club officially announced the decision on September 8, 2025, citing "recent circumstances" as a factor.

Santo's departure comes as a surprise to some, considering his successful tenure with the club. He was appointed in December 2023 and is credited with leading Nottingham Forest to a strong finish in the 2024/25 season, securing them a place in the Europa League. This marked their first European qualification since the 1995/96 campaign. In June 2025, he also signed a new contract with the team.

However, tensions appear to have been brewing behind the scenes. In August, Santo publicly acknowledged that his relationship with Marinakis had changed. He noted that their close, almost daily contact from the previous season had diminished. "This season, not so well... Our relationship has changed. It's not so close. It's not on a daily basis. It's not good," Santo stated, fueling speculation about internal divisions within the club. He also questioned the club's business during the summer transfer window and cast doubt over his long-term future.

The exact nature of the "recent circumstances" mentioned in the club's statement remains somewhat unclear. However, reports suggest that tensions with Marinakis and the recent appointment of Edu as the global head of football played a significant role in the decision to sack Santo. It was also reported that face-to-face talks were meant to happen between Nuno, Marinakis, and Edu in order to salvage their relationship, but it is not believed that those talks ever took place.

Nottingham Forest expressed gratitude for Santo's contributions, particularly highlighting his role in the 2024/25 season. The club stated that his efforts would "forever be remembered fondly in the history of the club" and that he would "always hold a special place in our journey".

The search for Santo's replacement has already begun, with Ange Postecoglou being considered as a potential candidate.