Roy Keane has given his verdict on Nuno Espirito Santo‘s dramatic sacking by Nottingham Forest.
The Portuguese led Forest into Europe last season for the first time this century but his relations with the club hierarchy had become increasingly strained this summer.
Nuno criticised Forest’s transfer policy publicly and admitted his rapport with owner Evangelos Marinakis was not the same as it had been last term. Nuno, who joined Forest in December 2023, also struggled to work under the new structure with former Arsenal midfielder Edu installed as global head of football. Marinakis only days ago dismissed reports of a rift between him and his manager.
In a statement released in the early hours of Tuesday morning, Forest said Nuno had been relieved of his duties ‘following recent circumstances’, despite Marinakis playing down suggestions of a rift in the last few days.
They also moved quickly to replace him, with former Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou already in place as the former goalkeeper’s replacement and ready to lead the side in their first match after the international break, away at Arsenal.
And Keane, who played and coached at Forest and was speaking on ITV ahead of England’s clash with Serbia in World Cup qualifying, revealed he didn’t bat an eyelid when he heard of the news.
Roy Keane has given his verdict on Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis’s sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo – he has now appointed Ange Postecoglou
Keane said he lacks sympathy for the managers who are let go by the top flight club
‘Not surprised,’ he said when asked for his thoughts. ‘Why should we be surprised at what happens at Nottingham Forest?
‘I think we know what the owner is like there, no surprises, and I have no sympathy for any manager either that goes to Nottingham Forest.
‘You’re going to be under pressure with the owner there, so I certainly wasn’t surprised when they moved him on. It’s tough.’
Ian Wright added: ‘It sounded a little bit, from Marinakis’ point of view, insubordinate in his eyes, but Nuno is telling us what’s going on and you felt it’s over.’
Nuno made the incredibly honest revelation in a press conference last month that their relationship was ‘not so good’.
The comment sparked speculation that Marinakis could sack the former Wolves boss amid links to Ange Postecoglou, or even that Nuno could resign – something he strongly denied.
Daily Mail Sport revealed last week that club-record signing Omari Hutchinson had been omitted from Forest’s Europa League squad – another decision unlikely to please Nuno’s bosses.
Marinakis broke his silence about the drama surrounding the club in recent days, claiming he and his now-former manager maintain a ‘strong relationship’.
Nuno had fallen out with his owner despite both parties playing down ideas of a rift
That didn’t turn out to be the case, though, and the working relationship has now changed.
Speaking to TNT Sports from the Europa League draw in Monaco, the 57-year-old said: ‘Yes [Nuno can lead Forest forward], he has been successful and we have done things we have enjoyed. Now we can afford to do things that we enjoy.
‘Everything is solid. We all want Nottingham to succeed. We are here in the good days but we are even closer in the difficult days, so personally I don’t see a problem.
‘We are all together, united, and we’ll make some corrective actions and everything will be smooth and ready to go.
‘We have a solid relationship. Of course, sometimes we can be nervous, say one thing, say another, but what counts at the end of the day is the real relationship between me and Nuno, between Nuno and the players and between the players and ourselves.’
The former Porto boss dismissed reports claiming he was considering resigning as ‘nonsense’ after his side’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace in August – days after he had made the shock revelations about his relationship with the Forest owner.
‘It is absurd, never,’ he told reporters. And when asked whether he’ll be in charge beyond the international break, Nuno replied: ‘Yes, I think so. I don’t know how to answer that but I think so.’
