Postecoglou set for role as Forest cut ties with Nuno

Nottingham Forest are expected to appoint former Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou to replace Nuno Espirito Santo.

Nuno was sacked on Monday night following a breakdown in his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis.

Postecoglou, who has been out of work since leaving Spurs in June, is the leading candidate for the job at the City Ground, according to the Press Association.

The Australian was sacked by the north London club just 16 days after leading them to Europa League glory.

He now looks set to get another crack at the Premier League and European football at the City Ground.

And he could be set for a swift return to north London as Forest visit Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime.

The 60-year-old spent two seasons at Spurs and ended their trophy drought last season, but did so at the expense of the league, where they finished 17th.

Nuno was relieved of his duties on Monday night after publicly falling out with Marinakis this summer.

The 51-year-old was given a new contract in June after guiding Forest into the Europa League last term, their first European qualification since 1995, but cracks were beginning to show behind the scenes.

Nuno had a poor working relationship with global head of football Edu Gaspar and his bond with Marinakis suffered as a result.

He questioned the club's transfer business ahead of the new season and then pre-empted his own sacking by saying "where there's smoke, there’s fire" when asked about his future at the club.

He was set for peace talks with Marinakis during the international break, but the Greek businessman pulled the trigger without them happening.

Forest said in a statement: "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 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."

Forest officials were said to have been taken by surprise when Nuno publicly revealed his broken relationship with Marinakis last month.

Responding to rumours about his position at the time, Nuno admitted "where there’s smoke, there’s fire", first raising questions about his future at the club.

"We know each other very well, and we have all been in the industry for a while now," he said of Marinakis ahead of their Premier League game against Crystal Palace.

"And where there’s smoke, there’s fire, so I know how things work, but I’m here to do my job.

"I understand, because I’m worried. I’m the first one to be worried. I’m the first one to be concerned."

Previously, Nuno had criticised the club’s activity in the summer transfer window, saying they had wasted a good chance, despite spending almost £100million on the likes of James McAtee, Omari Hutchinson, Arnaud Kalimuendo and Douglas Luiz.

And Nuno added: "I always had a very good relationship with the owner, last season was very, very, very close. This season, not so well. No, it’s not (good)."

Marinakis was seen remonstrating with Nuno after a 2-2 draw against Leicester at the end of last season, although at the time the club put that down to Taiwo Awoniyi playing on with a serious abdominal injury.

In the immediate aftermath of Marinakis’ altercation with Nuno, he was subject to heavy criticism, with pundit Gary Neville saying the manager should "negotiate his exit" that night.

Having led the club into Europe, Nuno departs the City Ground as the club’s most successful manager since Frank Clark, and they currently sit 10th in the Premier League table.

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