Crossing the Nottingham Forest owner, Evangelos Marinakis, is rarely a wise move. When Nuno Espírito Santo went public about the deteriorating relationship between the two most important men at the City Ground, a parting of ways became inevitable.
Nuno deserved better after leading Forest back to Europe after 30 years away and his popularity within the club means it will be difficult for Ange Postecoglou to replace him. Players and staff will not immediately embrace the change because of the admiration and warmth they felt for Nuno.
The Portuguese entered a club heading for a relegation battle in December 2023 after Steve Cooper, another heroic figure in Forest’s recent past, was sacked. After keeping them up he led them into Europe a year later. It was not only results that Nuno brought but a calmness rarely seen under Marinakis at the City Ground, even in the good times. Will stability return without him or will spontaneous combustion be constant risk?
Nuno was given the news of his dismissal by the sporting director, Ross Wilson, who will soon depart for Newcastle. Wilson, like Nuno, is well respected at Forest and his exit could allow Edu, the global head of football since early July, to have greater influence.
Nuno was advised not to tell the media about the breakdown with Marinakis but defied counsel. He also never built a positive relationship with Edu and wanted transfers done quicker but such transactions are not straightforward. Few coaches could complain at the end of a window in which about £200m was paid out and the net spend was about £96m.
With Marinakis scorned by the words of Nuno, the owner was willing to part ways but concluded he should wait because Nuno had brought great days back to the banks of the River Trent. Cogs were whirring in the background, though, and Marinakis had in mind his good relationship with Postecoglou.
Nuno’s inflammatory “no smoke without fire” press conference came five days after a comprehensive opening-day win over Brentford. A draw at Palace in the following match was another positive result but the 3-0 home defeat by a previously pointless West Ham – and the desperate performance – accelerated matters going into the international break.
Postecoglou spoke to senior figures at Forest because he was the immediate frontrunner. He had been sounded out earlier and was open to a quick Premier League return. The Australian was deeply upset over his sacking by Tottenham after leading them to Europa League glory. Feeling it was unfair, he wanted another chance in England and Europe, and Forest offer both.
The prospect of hiring a well-respected Greek coach – Postecoglou was born in Athens before leaving with his family for Australia at the age of five – was ideal for Marinakis. He praised Postecoglou for his Europa League success when presenting him in mid-July with an award at a Greek Super League event at which Postecoglou was a guest of honour. “What he achieved, he did with a team that has not won any titles – it has had a very difficult time in recent years,” said Marinakis, the league’s president and owner of Olympiakos. “In this huge success that the whole world saw, he promoted Greece. We must thank him especially for this and we wish him well, although we are sure that he will do well as he has the ability. Wherever he goes, the successes will come.”
The City Ground is the next stop for Postecoglou and there is an acceptance the team’s style will change. Postecoglou was criticised for being too rigid as Tottenham struggled in the Premier League last season. A porous defence was problematic and he did not find a fix, whereas Nuno built one of the most formidable backlines at Forest. Postecoglou’s attacking philosophy contrasts with Nuno’s cautious approach. When things clicked at Tottenham, it was exciting but in the final 12 months of Postecoglou’s reign those matches were limited. He showed in the Europa League final, and in some knockout games, that he could be pragmatic and Forest will be hoping that mindset is employed in his new role.
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An immediate return to north London for Postecoglou awaits. Forest travel to Arsenal on Saturday, making it a very difficult start. Postecoglou is highly regarded; his amiable nature and warmth are the cornerstones of his man-management and they will be critical to win over players disappointed Nuno is no longer their leader.
Nuno leaves Forest with his status enhanced after he struggled at Tottenham and had a spell in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ittihad. He will not be without offers when jobs become available. Less certain is how Forest will fare under Postecoglou. Marinakis can point to Nuno’s hiring as evidence he knows what he is doing when it comes to sacking and appointing coaches. Many wanted Cooper to be given more time but Marinakis acted, feeling a change was needed if Forest were to survive in the top flight.
Postecoglou is smart enough to succeed and the squad is impressive after the summer recruitment but he will need to show he has learned from his mistakes at Tottenham. Marinakis is a force of nature and has got his man. Both need this relationship to work because two reputations are on the line.
