Nuno Espirito Santo ‘decided to get sacked and paid off’ by Nottingham Forest
Nuno Espirito Santo may have forced Nottingham Forest into sacking him after a big disagreement.
Nuno had a very public falling out with Evangelos Marinakis, as well as new recruitment chief Edu Gaspar, which ultimately resulted in his departure
The Portuguese manager was replaced by Ange Postecoglou at the City Ground, who returned to Premier League management after just three months.
While at Forest, Nuno led his side to European football during a superb 2024-25 campaign, but it will now be left to Postecoglou to take charge of the Europa League games.
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 – believes that 51-year-old may have forced his own sacking in order to receive a big benefit.
Nuno wanted a big Nottingham Forest pay-off
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that Nuno may have seen the writing on the wall and decided to get sacked in order to receive a big pay-off from Nottingham Forest.
His position at the City Ground had looked very fragile ever since he spoke out about his disagreement with Marinakis.
Wyness added that the reality of football is far different from the way it is portrayed in the press, with so much money involved.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “You could be cynical and say that Nuno saw the writing on the wall and decided to get sacked and get paid off.
“He did a good job of it. It’s the reality of football behind the scenes, and it’s not always as portrayed in the press.
“There’s big money involved, as we know in these sorts of things and transactions with players. So that’s where the game is often played, and it’s a bigger power struggle than people often realise.”
Arsenal eye Nottingham Forest star
Meanwhile, Arsenal are reportedly among a number of clubs keeping an eye on “fantastic” Nottingham Forest star Murillo as they eye further improvements to their squad depth.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who claims that the 23-year-old has emerged as a name on Mikel Arteta‘s shortlist.
Nottingham Forest placed a “huge” asking price on Murillo in the summer as they were reluctant to lose key players following Anthony Elanga’s move to Newcastle.
However, the Gunners are now believed to be tracking the Brazil defender’s situation as they have been long-term admirers of his abilities.
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