Nuno Espirito Santo after Nottingham's defeat to West Ham at City Ground, Nottingham, UK, 31/8/2025. _Photo: Reuters_

Nuno Espirito Santo's departure from Nottingham Forest has become a source of regret for many. Just months after guiding the club to its first European tournament in 30 years, he was dismissed amid internal strife and power struggles.

In December 2023, Nuno was appointed to replace Steve Cooper, the man who had steered Nottingham back to the Premier League after 23 years. The Portuguese manager's arrival was met with skepticism and a sense that he was merely filling a void.

His first season was marked by a constant battle against relegation. Nottingham faced a points deduction for breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), frequently disputed refereeing decisions, and struggled to stay afloat. The atmosphere at City Ground was gloomy, and Nuno's pragmatic playing style drew criticism.

However, the 2024-2025 season witnessed a remarkable turnaround. Nottingham defeated Liverpool at Anfield for the first time in over half a century, secured victories against Man Utd both home and away, triumphed over Man City, and routed Brighton 7-0. They finished 7th, securing a Europa League spot, their best result in nearly three decades. Nuno, once doubted, became a hero, lauded by fans.

The turning point came in the summer of 2025, when owner Evangelos Marinakis appointed former Arsenal sporting director, Edu Gaspar, to oversee a football ecosystem encompassing three clubs: Nottingham Forest, Olympiacos (Greece), and Rio Ave (Brazil). Marinakis viewed this as a key move, signaling his ambition to elevate Nottingham to new heights.

But for Nuno, this marked the beginning of a crisis. He and Edu clashed from their first meeting, the tension escalating into a personal conflict. For instance, the Portuguese manager's desire to sign his former player Adama Traore was blocked by Edu, leading to a heated exchange during a meeting.

Edu had the backing of businessman and super-agent Kia Joorabchian. Meanwhile, Nuno's agent, another super-agent named Jorge Mendes, was gradually sidelined.

Nuno also publicly expressed his discontent. Before the opening Premier League match of the current season, he described serious issues within Nottingham and stated that the squad was far from where it needed to be. He also admitted his relationship with Marinakis had become strained. The Greek billionaire believed the 51-year-old manager had aired internal disputes publicly.

Despite the tension, Nottingham spent heavily during the summer transfer window. They broke their club record with the 51 million USD signing of Omari Hutchinson and also acquired Arnaud Kalimuendo, James McAtee, and Douglas Luiz. In total, 13 new players arrived, arguably making Nottingham’s squad the strongest in its history.

However, the initial results weren't enough to calm the situation. After three matches, Nottingham had 4 points but suffered a 0-3 home defeat to West Ham at City Ground. This proved to be Nuno's final game. For Marinakis, the manager's repeated public criticism of the board, coupled with the irreparable rift with Edu, sealed his fate.

Sacking a manager who had just led the team to European competition shocked and disappointed many fans. They believed that despite Nuno's tactical limitations, he was capable of further progress. Wolves' decline after his departure in 2021 was cited as a cautionary tale.

Ange Postecoglou wearing a gold medal at San Mames, Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain, after the Europa League final on 21/5/2025. _Photo: Reuters_

However, the board argued Nottingham needed a manager of European caliber to compete on multiple fronts. They chose Ange Postecoglou, who had led Tottenham to the Europa League title a few months prior. "It's time for Nottingham to take the next step and compete for trophies," Marinakis stated. "Postecoglou has the experience and desire to help us achieve that."

Postecoglou, 60, is renowned for his high-energy, attacking style of football. He has enjoyed success in Australia, Japan, Scotland, and most recently, Tottenham. His tenure at Tottenham, however, was controversial. The 60-year-old delivered the club's first trophy in 17 years, but was sacked after a disappointing 17th-place finish in the Premier League.

Nottingham hopes to see the more pragmatic version of Postecoglou that emerged towards the end of his time at Tottenham, where the team prioritized defensive solidity to win the Europa League. But a challenging schedule awaits Postecoglou, with 4 consecutive away games, including a Europa League fixture against Real Betis.

Nottingham begins a new chapter under Postecoglou, with ambitions of reaching greater heights. But alongside hope, there is risk. History has shown that dismissing a manager popular with fans and the dressing room often creates a void that's difficult to fill.

Hoang An (_via Athletic_)