Ange Postecoglou poised to replace Nuno Espirito Santo as Nottingham Forest head coach

Nottingham Forest are advancing talks to appoint Ange Postecoglou as their next head coach after sacking Nuno Espirito Santo, with sources indicating the former Tottenham manager is a strong candidate and initial contact has taken place.

Forest announced in the early hours of Tuesday that Nuno had been relieved of his duties. Club sources and media reports suggest Postecoglou, 60, is in line to take over and could be appointed before Forest's Premier League trip to Arsenal this weekend.

In a statement issued shortly after the dismissal, Nottingham Forest said: "Nottingham Forest Football Club confirms that, following recent circumstances, Nuno Espírito Santo has today been relieved of his duties as head coach." The club added: "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."

Nuno, 51, was appointed in December 2023 following the dismissal of Steve Cooper and helped secure Forest's Premier League survival that season. He led the club to a seventh-place finish in 2024-25, their highest since 1994-95, earning European qualification for the first time in three decades. His last game in charge was a 3-0 defeat by West Ham before the September international break, and he leaves after 21 months at the City Ground.

Postecoglou was dismissed by Tottenham at the end of last season despite guiding the club to a historic Europa League triumph. Spurs finished 17th in the Premier League last season, accruing 38 points and conceding 65 goals, their worst top-flight placing in the Premier League era. The Australian-led side, however, secured a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final, delivering Tottenham their first major trophy in 17 years and Champions League qualification; he was sacked 16 days after that triumph.

Forest's owner, Evangelos Marinakis, has overseen frequent managerial changes at the club since taking control in May 2017, and Postecoglou would become the eighth permanent manager under his ownership if the appointment is confirmed. Forest sit 10th in the Premier League after three matches this season.

The Daily Mail reported that Postecoglou and Marinakis met in July when the Forest owner presented the Australian manager with a Greek Super League award and that the two were seen dining together at the event. The newspaper also described a private meeting over wine. Those details have not been confirmed by the club.

Postecoglou, who is of Greek heritage, has previously said he wanted to remain in England after leaving Spurs. Tottenham subsequently appointed Thomas Frank as his successor.

Forest will move quickly to finalise their appointment ahead of Saturday's fixture at Arsenal, sources said, with the club seeking continuity and leadership after a turbulent summer that included public disagreements between Nuno and the club hierarchy over transfer policy and structure. Nuno had publicly expressed frustration about the club's transfer arrangements and difficulties working under the new football structure following the arrival of former Arsenal midfielder Edu as global head of football.

Any formal announcement from Nottingham Forest is expected imminently. The club's immediate priority will be to stabilise the squad and prepare for the top-flight fixture list and upcoming European commitments that followed last season's qualification.