Evangelos Marinakis has clear thoughts on Ange Postecoglou as Nottingham Forest sack Nuno

Former Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou has been tipped as a potential replacement for Nuno Espirito Santo at Nottingham Forest. The Portuguese manager wasshown the door at the City Ground, despite guiding Forest into the top seven last season.

Santo had also recently put pen to paper on a new contract, but this did not save him from the axe. His departure comes two weeks before Forest's first European football campaign since 1996 kicks off.

The move follows escalating tensions within the club, which saw the ex-Wolves boss publicly discuss his relationship with co-owner Evangelos Marinakis. A rocky start to the Premier League season, culminating in a 3-0 home loss to West Ham United just before the international break, left them languishing mid-table with a mere four points from three games.

Speculation over Nuno's future had been rife since his comments, with rumours of a fallout following the appointment of former Arsenal sporting director, Edu. Towards the end of last season, Santo was also confronted on the pitch by Marinakis during their home draw to Leicester City, after Taiwo Awoniyi continued playing despite a nasty collision with the goal post.

READ MORE: Notingham Forest statement speaks volumes as Nuno sacked just three games into season

READ MORE: Nottingham Forest sack Nuno Espírito Santo after fallout with owner Evangelos Marinakis

However, it was confirmed in the early hours of Tuesday morning the hunt for a new manager was on at the City Ground, just days ahead of their clash with Premier League title hopefuls Arsenal on Saturday (12:30pm kick-off).

The club issued a statement saying: "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."

Reports suggest former Spurs manager Postecoglou is the frontrunner to take over, with Brendan Rodgers and Jose Mourinho also expected to be in the frame. The Forest co-owner has previously heaped praise on Postecoglou, who was sacked by Spurs despite guiding them to Europa League glory in his second campaign.

"What I want to say about Ange is that he has spoken about Greece many times, he is proud to be Greek and in the great success he had with Tottenham by winning the Europa League, he spoke about Greece," Marinakis said via Greek news website Neos Kosmos in the summer.

"A man who not only does not hide his origin but is also proud of it. What he achieved, he did with a team that has not won any titles, it has had a very difficult time in recent years.

"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."

After Arsenal, Forest also face Swansea City in the League Cup before an away trip to Burnley. Their Europa League campaign will then begin with an away clash against La Liga heavyweights Real Betis.

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