When Nuno Espírito Santo sits down and says “I warned him”, you’d better believe someone listened. But in this case, they didn’t — and the fallout speaks for itself.
The Setup
Last season seemed like a fairytale for Nottingham Forest under Nuno. Having steered the club back into European competition for the first time in decades, the Portuguese coach appeared to have delivered what the fans had longed for.
Yet behind the scenes, tensions had been bubbling. Nuno admitted to a strained relationship with club owner Evangelos Marinakis — the duo, who had once been close, were no longer on the same page.
> “There’s no smoke without fire,” Nuno said, alluding to the difficulties.
(Source: The Guardian, August 2025)
Enter Ange Postecoglou: the well-travelled, attack-minded Australian coach who had just guided Tottenham Hotspur to European success and was being lined up for the Forest job in early September.
The Conversation
According to insiders close to both camps, Nuno reached out to Postecoglou — or at least made his feelings known — before the Aussie officially accepted the Nottingham Forest role.
In essence, Nuno’s message was simple:
> “I know what this club needs. I know the dynamics here. Be careful.”
He had warned that the structure at Forest — a strong-willed owner, a global football director, and overlapping recruitment influences — made the manager’s position unusually complicated.
It wasn’t just about tactics or player management; it was about navigating a club hierarchy that demanded instant results without consistent strategic alignment.
The Warning Comes True
Fast-forward a matter of weeks: Postecoglou was appointed on September 9, 2025. By October 18, he was gone — just 39 days in charge, marking one of the shortest managerial reigns in Premier League history.
So, what went wrong?
Style clash: Postecoglou tried to implement his trademark high-pressing, possession-based football with a squad built for Nuno’s defensive solidity. The results were chaotic.
No time: Eight games, zero wins. The final straw came after a 3–0 home defeat to Chelsea.
Structural issues: Transfers, internal politics, and unclear decision-making left Postecoglou isolated — exactly what Nuno had warned about.
By the time Evangelos Marinakis acted, the writing was already on the wall. The very scenario Nuno had described — a talented coach walking into a political storm — had played out word for word.
What It Tells Us
1. Culture eats tactics for breakfast.
Nottingham Forest’s internal structure wasn’t ready for a total style revolution in six weeks.
2. Warnings matter.
It’s rare for one manager to openly say he warned another, but Nuno’s credibility is reinforced by what unfolded.
3. Big names don’t guarantee success.
Postecoglou’s pedigree was impressive, but his philosophy clashed with the squad and ownership realities.
4. Short-termism is costly.
Six weeks is never enough for cultural change, no matter how talented the coach.
What’s Next for Forest
Reports suggest Nottingham Forest are already looking at experienced stabilizers like Sean Dyche or Marco Silva to take charge and restore order. Meanwhile, Nuno — now vindicated — has emerged with his reputation strengthened.
In the end, one phrase sums it all up:
> He told him. And it happened.
