Nottingham Forest sack Nuno Espirito Santo before Arsenal as Ange Postecoglou stance clear

Nottingham Forest have sacked Nuno Espirito Santo ahead of their clash against Arsenal this weekend. The Gunners will lock horns with the East Midlands outfit at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon as they look to return to winning ways.

An official statement from Forest reads: "Nottingham Forest Football Club confirms that, following recent circumstances, Nuno Espírito 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."

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Last month, Nuno admitted that his relationship with Evangelos Marinakis was 'not the same'. The former Forest boss also claimed 'where there's smoke, there's fire' in response to questions regarding his future at the City Ground.

"We know each other very well, and we have all been in the industry for a while now," said Nuno, speaking to reporters ahead of their match 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," added the 51-year-old. When further questioned about his relationship with the Forest owner, Nuno added: "I always had a very good relationship with the owner, last season was very close.

"This season, not so well. No, it's not [good]. I don't know exactly, but I'm being honest with you. I cannot say that is the same, because it's not the same. The reason behind it, I don't know.

"I always believe that dialogue and what you say or your opinion, is always valid, because my concern is the squad and the season that we have ahead of us, but our relations have changed.

"The reality is that it is not what it used to be. What it used to be was a good, respectful relationship, but was more based on trust and sharing opinions, and now it's not so good."

Nuno also aimed a subtle dig at the Forest hierarchy shortly before the opening weekend of the new Premier League season. Speaking to Sky Sports, he claimed that his squad were 'very, very far' from where he wanted them to be.

"We are very far - very, very far - from where we should be," said Nuno. "We are very far in terms of preparation, in terms of planning, in terms of the squad. So, we are all very worried that, in two or three days' time, we are playing for the Premier League, the most demanding competition in the world.

"And we are very far. Very, very far. The plans that we had didn't come through. The preparation in terms of squad was not ideal. We didn't have a chance to create the bond - and this is what I think is more important.

"Because we don't know which squad we have. We have players working here that know they're going to leave on loan. We have a major problem."

Ange Postecoglou has recently been heavily linked with the Forest job. Last month, talkSPORT reported that the former Tottenham Hotspur boss is keen on a return to management in the Premier League, and he's high on Marinakis' shortlist of new head coaches.

The report claimed that the Forest owner had already held 'direct conversations' with Postecoglou. It's said that Marinakis enjoys a personal relationship with the Greek-born boss.