Date: 9 September 2025
What happened
Nottingham Forest dismissed Nuno Espírito Santo in the early hours of Tuesday after weeks of escalating tension behind the scenes. The decisive flashpoint was a shift in transfer control toward newly appointed global head of football, Edu, and the increasing influence of Kia Joorabchian on recruitment — a sharp pivot away from the Jorge Mendes–aligned model that helped power Forest’s recent rise.
Why it broke
- Power realignment: Edu’s arrival effectively sidelined Nuno on transfers, a change Nuno himself alluded to before the international break when he said his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis had “changed.”
- Recruitment clashes:
- Omari Hutchinson (£37.5m from Ipswich, represented by Joorabchian’s agency) arrived as a flagship signing but was left out of the Europa League squad by Nuno.
- Douglas Luiz was another Edu/Joorabchian-led target; he’s barely featured so far.
- Nuno pushed for Adama Traoré to replace Anthony Elanga, but the club cooled on adding an older winger amid doubts over the player’s appetite for the move.
- Squad philosophy: Forest’s hierarchy set about building two-per-position depth; Nuno preferred leaner squads (as at Wolves) and wanted targeted cover at full-back and goalkeeper rather than bulk additions.
The bigger picture
Nuno had overperformed to take Forest back into Europe, but the club’s recruitment model and chain of command were being rewritten in real time. With trust eroded and selection decisions contradicting marquee signings, the relationship became untenable.
What’s next
Forest have turned to Ange Postecoglou as the new head coach, with expectations he will take charge imminently and bring clarity to a crowded squad and a centralised recruitment structure.
Key takeaways
- Forest sacked Nuno after a transfer-led power struggle.
- Edu’s role and Joorabchian’s influence redefined recruitment.
- High-fee signings didn’t fit Nuno’s plans, creating visible friction.
- Postecoglou steps in to align squad building with the new hierarchy.
SEO title: Why Nottingham Forest sacked Nuno as Edu’s transfer power grows — Postecoglou set to take over
Meta description (≤155 chars): Forest sacked Nuno after a transfer power shift toward Edu. Recruitment clashes and philosophy differences paved the way for Ange Postecoglou.
Tags: Nottingham Forest, Nuno Espírito Santo, Edu, Evangelos Marinakis, Ange Postecoglou, Premier League, Transfers
