Ciaran Morrison

Tue 17 March 2026 12:45, UK

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Nottingham Forest’s legal dispute with former manager Nuno Espirito Santo could reach a resolution before it is taken to court.

That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes the dispute covers more than just compensation issues.

Nottingham Forest sacked Nuno in September 2025, before the 52-year-old was hired by Premier League rivals West Ham just weeks later.

How much Nuno could earn if he wins the dispute has yet to be revealed, but Nottingham Forest could face a financial hit and an unwelcome distraction from their Premier League relegation battle.

Nuno Espirito Santo ‘won’t be bullied’ in Nottingham Forest ‘battle’

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – states the dispute has been described as a “heavyweight slugging fest.”

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness believes the dispute could be resolved “before it goes too much further.”

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I think there’ll be more than just pay me the wages you owe me and fill the contract. 

“There’ll be serious damages and claims and counterclaims. Again, we should be getting Eddie Hearn in here, I think, to supervise this particular deal. I think it could be a great undercard for one of his fights, but it’s vicious. I’m assured of that.

“I know one of the lawyers involved, but of course he can’t tell me the actual details, but he just said wow, it’s a heavyweight slugging fest. So as I say, behind that subtext of the agents involved as well, yes, it’s going to be a battle at the end.

“But as usual with these things, it gets resolved out of court before it goes too much further and bang, somebody pays and somebody accepts it. But yes, it won’t be pleasant and Nuno is not going to be bullied, I’m sure of that.”  

Ibrahim Sangare interest revealed

Sources have told Football Insider that Manchester United could make a move for Ibrahim Sangare in the summer transfer window.

Man United are looking for a new midfielder to replace the departing Casemiro, and Sangare is on their radar if they can not sign any of their top targets.

A deal could prove more likely if Nottingham Forest are relegated from the Premier League and need to offload their star players at the end of the season.