Inside Nuno Espirito Santo’s sacking at Nottingham Forest, bust-up with Edu and Marinakis, as Ange Postecoglou named as instant replacement

Ange Postecoglou has signed a two-year contract at Nottingham Forest manager.

As previously reported, Postecoglou was the top target to take charge at the City Ground following the sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo.

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The Europa League winning Tottenham manager’s attacking style of play fits the remit of what Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is looking for.

The 60-year-old was first approached by Marinakis in early August, but the now departed Espirito Santo was given time to see how he adapted to a new sporting structure over the summer.

The arrival of Edu as global head of football meant less face time for Nuno with Marinakis and became a point of frustration almost overnight. It ultimately led to Nuno referencing a ‘not good’ relationship with Marinakis.

“Our relationship has changed and we are not as close. Everybody at the club should be together, but this is not the reality,” said Nuno ahead of Forest’s 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace on August 22.

Nuno’s comments caught Marinakis off-guard and ultimately sealed his fate.

Marinakis quickly contacted Postecoglou and Forest’s leadership started to plan for a change of coach during the international break.

Ultimately, Nuno was not viewed as on the same page as Edu or Marinakis.

Now, former Celtic and Spurs boss Postecoglou has taken the job.

Postecoglou recently turned down the chance to replace Jose Mourinho at Fenerbahce.

The Turkish side parted ways with Mourinho last month following their Champions League exit.

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Marinakis has made a swift appointment and Forest travel to Spurs’ north London rivals Arsenal on Saturday, live on talkSPORT.

Forest sources had claimed Oliver Glasner and Andoni Iraola were also admired by Marinakis along with Fulham boss Marco Silva.

However, Bournemouth remain relaxed about the future of Iraola despite the interest in the Spaniard.

Why was Nuno Espirito Santo sacked?

Nuno’s departure from the City Ground was confirmed on Monday night after weeks of speculation surrounding his future.

The Portuguese had been in charge of Forest for almost two years after replacing Steve Cooper in December 2023.

Having guided the club to safety at the end of that campaign, he achieved their highest finish for 30 years last season.

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By finishing seventh, Forest also qualified for Europe and begin their Europa League campaign later this month.

Edu and Marinakis had been aggressive in the market trying to provide Nuno with almost two XIs, one for the Premier League and the other for the Europa League.

Sources have told talkSPORT Nuno asked for this, but then started to voice concerns the squad size was growing too big. He is known for wanting to work with smaller squads.

Nuno was also left fuming after Edu failed to sign Adama Traore this summer.

Forest sources insist Edu did everything possible and Fulham didn’t want to sell without finding a replacement, but those close to Nuno argue when called the player told them no approach had been made.

It led to a public outburst in August that several senior staff at Forest had to quell.

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talkSPORT has learned Nuno even considered quitting at the time, and Marinakis had to play peacemaker between Nuno and Edu.

The additions of Omari Hutchinson and Douglas Luiz were also driven by Edu, while Igor Jesus’ arrival from Botafogo was directly negotiated by Marinakis.

Edu has been brought in to foster a new culture at Forest and implement it consistently across Marinakis’ mutli-club group, which also includes Greek giants Olympiacos. 

A Brazilian club is expected to be added to the group soon. There are some suggestions Botafogo is the likely choice given the volume of business already done between John Textor and Marinakis, although Forest sources have repeatedly denied the two clubs will form part of a multi-club network. Yet Marinakis and Textor have repeatedly done business often without others at the club involved.

Why is Ange Postecoglou being hired?

Postecoglou’s attack-minded football is viewed is a big selling point, and the kind of style that can be replicated across Marinakis’ portfolio of clubs.

In contrast, the Forest owner had growing concerns over Nuno’s football philosophy despite qualifying for Europe and being one of the best manager’s in the Premier League last season.

Postecoglou is expected to appoint several former Spurs staff. His former assistant Mile Jedanik will have a role.

And with sporting director Ross Wilson expected to leave for Newcastle United, former Tottenham chief football officer Scott Munn is another name Postecoglou has asked to bring in.

Postecoglou at Spurs

Postecoglou will be familiar with the Europa League as it is a competition he won with Spurs back in May.

The victory over Manchester United in the final ended the club’s 17-year wait for a trophy.

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However, Postecoglou was dismissed by Spurs at the end of the season before being replaced by Thomas Frank.

His exit came after two seasons in north London, which saw him take charge of 101 matches across all competitions.

Of those fixtures, Spurs were victorious in 47, giving Postecoglou a win rate of just over 46.5 per cent.

Having finished fifth in his debut season, though, Tottenham slumped to 17th place last term.

It represented their lowest league finish for 48 years as well as a club record worst points tally in the Premier League era.

talkSPORT’s verdict

Nottingham Forest legend Stuart Pearce joined White and Jordan on talkSPORT to deliver his verdict on the Nuno sacking and Postecoglou as his replacement.

I’m a little bit saddened actually, I think that Forest lost a manager in Steve Cooper that the fans were disappointed to lose and I think the same will be said about Nuno as well. 

The club seems to have a lot of stability, a European campaign to look forward to this season, more than established in the Premier League. 

Maybe saying a couple of the things that he said before publicly, maybe the writing was on the wall, but I’m a little bit disappointed.

I think he did well for Forest and established a very good style of play that all the players bought into.

The first thing that sprung to my mind was Ange’s style of play, which is probably counter to how Forest have been playing and the success that Forest have been playing with. 

Nuno has very much a counter attack style of play, defending deep which suits Milenkovic and one or two others. 

I think we saw against West Ham when they came out and chased the game, they became a little bit open and vulnerable. 

Ange plays a style of play that is more expansive, more open.

The style of play has got to change and is going to change, there is no doubt about that. How that suits the squad of players that have been used to playing in one style, that was a big thing for me. 

I enjoy Ange, I enjoy listening to him and in all honesty I enjoy getting in my car and going to cover games where he puts teams on the pitch.