Emotional Nottingham Forest Fans React to Nuno Espirito Santo Sacking and Imminent Ange Postecoglou Appointment

Nottingham Forest are once again at the centre of managerial upheaval after parting company with Nuno Espirito Santo, just three games (only 25 days) into the new Premier League season.

The Portuguese coach leaves the City Ground less than 21 months after his arrival, having guided Forest to their highest league finish in three decades and a long-awaited return to European football.

His exit follows weeks of speculation about strained relationships behind the scenes and mounting tensions over transfer policy, despite Forest spending £182.5m on new players during the summer. Forest were the eighth-highest spenders in England during the transfer window just closed as Premier League clubs splashed out a total of £3.2 BILLION combined.

Nottingham Forest announce Nuno Espirito Santo sacking in 80-word statement

Nottingham Forest confirmed the news in an unusually short press release that ran to just 80 words. It read: “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.”

That brief tribute barely captures the scale of Nuno’s achievements. He arrived in December 2023 with Forest staring at relegation danger, and within 18 months had transformed the club into a European contender. Last season’s seventh-place finish was their highest since 1995 and secured qualification for continental football for the first time in nearly 30 years.

Along the way, Nuno masterminded unforgettable wins — beating Liverpool at Anfield, Manchester United at Old Trafford, and Manchester City at the City Ground. His side reached an FA Cup semi-final and recorded the club’s longest top-flight winning streak since the 1960s.

Behind the scenes, however, relations soured. A major fallout with Forest’s new global head of football Edu has been widely reported, while Nuno himself admitted to being “very worried” about his squad during the summer. Despite 13 new signings, including Douglas Luiz and Omari Hutchinson, Nuno’s concerns appeared not to have eased, and his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis had visibly soured.

Emotional Forest fans react to Nuno’s sacking

If the statement was cold, the reaction from supporters was anything but. Fans flooded social media with heartfelt tributes to a manager they felt had given them some of the best memories of their lives.

One supporter wrote: “Many of us were unsure when he arrived, but it’s safe to say Nuno Espirito Santo has written his name in Nottingham Forest history. A great manager, but an even better bloke. Such a disappointment that it’s ended this way.”

Another leaned on a famous saying: “Don’t be sad it’s over. Smile because it happened. #NFFC”

Many fans also pointed out that Nuno had left the club in far better shape than he found it. One message read: “The one ask from any football club to a manager is to leave it in a better place than which they found it. The league table over Nuno’s 62-game tenure tells that story emphatically. A great platform for whoever’s next.”

However, others defended Marinakis over the decision. “Disappointed by Nuno sacking but Marinakis has never failed us with manager signings, Cooper then Nuno,” tweeted one fan. “Bottom of Championship to European football in 2 managers. He’s always done what’s right and put money where his mouth is.”

The memories were central to many tributes. One read: “He created so many wonderful memories… beating Liverpool at Anfield, trip to Wembley, got us into Europe. Thank you for everything you did. Unfortunate the way it ended.”

Another fan reeled off a greatest hits list: “Wins at Anfield & Old Trafford, beating Man City, longest top-flight winning streak since 60s, pumping Brighton 7-0, FA Cup semi-final & qualifying for Europe. Nuno took us to another level, thankful for the fantastic job he did & the memories he provided. A sorry ending.”

Some fans admitted to crying at Nuno’s dismissal. “I have actually shed tears,” said one. “Over a football manager. It tells you what an absolutely fantastic bloody job he did. And what a season he gave us at Forest. I’m gutted, thank you Nuno. Won’t forget the joy of Leicester away and Brighton home that I was there to experience.”

Others were angry that Nuno was denied the chance to manage Forest in Europe. “Nuno managed us to European football for the first time in almost 30 years and yet he isn’t even given the chance to manage a single game of it. He deserved better.”

Still, there was a sense among some that the timing might be right: “Thank you Nuno, for keeping us up then giving us our best season in decades. Sad it had to end like this but after recent interviews and speculation probably for the best.”

Ange Postecoglou set to replace Nuno as Forest manager

Forest appear to have wasted no time in moving for Nuno’s successor. It is understood that Ange Postecoglou is set to be confirmed as the new head coach within 24 hours, with the 60-year-old Australian expected to be in the dugout for Saturday’s trip to Arsenal.

Postecoglou left Tottenham in June, just weeks after guiding them to a Europa League triumph over Manchester United — their first major trophy in 17 years. Despite that success, Spurs endured a miserable Premier League campaign, finishing 17th and losing 22 matches, the most of any non-relegated team in a 38-game season.

He is expected to be joined at Forest by several of his Spurs backroom staff and inherit a squad packed with technical midfielders and young forwards, which could be more suited to his expansive philosophy.

Nevertheless, an early-season pivot from Nuno to Postecoglou has left many shocked.

Fans baffled by Forest’s move for Postecoglou

If the farewell to Nuno was emotional, the news of Postecoglou’s impending arrival sparked confusion among supporters and pundits alike.

One critic outside the fanbase blasted the stylistic shift: “Going from Nuno’s careful, low possession, counter-attacking football to Ange’s high line and all-out attacking football has to be one of the most stupid f***ing ideas I’ve seen a club pull off in a long time.”

A Forest fan struck a more balanced tone: “Ange Postecoglou it is then… Would it have been my choice? No it wouldn’t. But I trust the football club to make the right decisions and they have credit in the bank. The style of play from Nuno ball to Ange ball is the greatest concern due to the huge disparity. Spurs were dreadful last season but those injuries were vast. We are more defensively sound, so if we can keep that rigorous platform and then be more expansive, players like Macca, Luiz and Morgan will thrive.”

From Spurs supporters, the reaction was blunt. One said: “You literally could not have two more opposite styles than Nuno and Ange. Going from one to the other would be one hell of a change, and a lot of Forest’s squad is not set up to play that way.”

Some Forest fans also expressed concern about the timing. “Ange couldn’t be any more different than Nuno in terms of tactics,” wrote one. “Embedding his style mid-season under the heavy pressure of Europe is going to be some ask, especially with our and his previous injury issues.”

But others backed Marinakis’s call: “You can’t criticise Marinakis for this. There’s a plan. If Nuno couldn’t change and didn’t want to get on board then it’s time to go. Airing your dirty laundry publicly isn’t right whatever the situation. If Ange can bring entertaining football then I’m all for it.”