Nottingham Forest sacks manager following rift with owner

Appointed in December 2023, Espirito Santo steered Forest clear of relegation in his first campaign before masterminding a seventh-place finish last season, the club’s highest in three decades, and securing Europa League qualification.

Yet, Forest had occupied Champions League places for much of the season and looked destined for elite European competition before a late collapse saw it slip out of the top five.

While qualification for the Europa League was still a notable achievement, the slump placed heavy pressure on Espirito Santo and fueled Marinakis’ frustrations. Tensions between the pair grew increasingly public. A touchline confrontation following a 2–2 draw with Leicester clearly highlighted the fractured relationship.

The manager also recently criticized the club’s transfer business, warning of an "unbalanced" squad, and admitted communication with the owner had broken down.

Despite signing a contract extension through 2028 in June, Espirito Santo entered the new season under scrutiny. Forest’s start, one win, one draw and one defeat, was compounded by a bruising 3–0 home loss to West Ham, which proved the final straw for Marinakis.

Attention now shifts to finding a successor. Ange Postecoglou, available after leaving Tottenham, is believed to be the front-runner, while Mauricio Pochettino, Oliver Glasner, Andoni Iraola and Marco Silva have also been linked.

The decision further showcases the fragile balance between ownership and management in the Premier League. Espirito Santo’s achievements, including delivering European football to Forest for the first time in a generation, ultimately counted for little once relations with Marinakis soured. The club now faces the task of ensuring its European campaign is not derailed before it begins.