Next Nottingham Forest manager: Nuno Espirito Santo sacked as ex

Nottingham Forest have sacked Nuno Espirito Santo as head coach, with Ange Postecoglou an early frontrunner to take over the reins at the City Ground.

Nuno's position at Forest has been uncertain ever since he admitted last month that he was "not so close" with owner Evangelos Marinakis.

It was then reported that Nuno had a strained relationship with sporting director Edu, who was appointed to the role by Marianakis in November 2024.

Forest's hierarchy have ultimately decided that Nuno's position has become untenable, confirming in a statement that he has become the first Premier League manager sacked of the 2025-26 season due to "recent circumstances".

Nuno was a popular figure with the Forest fanbase after he led the team to safety in the 2023-24 campaign, before he steered the club to a seventh-place finish last term.Â

For a significant part of the season, Forest looked to be on course for a top-five finish and subsequent Champions League qualification, but they did at least upgrade to the Europa League following Crystal Palace's demotion to the Conference League.Â

Ange Postecoglou emerges as leading candidate for Forest job

Nuno will not get the chance to lead Forest in Europe, but the club could turn to a man who knows how to win the Europa League.

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Postecoglou has emerged as the 'leading candidate' to replace Nuno as Forest head coach.Â

Postecoglou is searching for his new challenge after being relieved of his duties as Tottenham Hotspur boss at the end of last season.Â

The 60-year-old ended Spurs' 17-year trophy drought by leading them to Europa League glory in May, but that success was not enough to keep his job after finishing in 17th place in the Premier League.Â

While Postecoglou is the early frontrunner, Forest have reportedly spent the international window 'sounding out' possible managerial candidates.Â

Could Nottingham Forest turn to Mourinho?

In addition to Postecoglou, Jacobs reports that another former Tottenham boss, Jose Mourinho, is on Forest's managerial shortlist.Â

Forest have 'discussed' Mourinho as a potential option, with the two-time Champions League winner looking for a return to management following his recent dismissal by Turkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce.

Mourinho boasts a wealth of Premier League experience after overseeing 217 wins, 84 draws and 62 defeats in 363 top-flight matches during his time with Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham.

Like Postecoglou, Mourinho has experience of winning the Europa League (formerly the UEFA Cup), having previously won the competition with Porto and Roma.Â