Nuno Espirito Santo Secures Contract Extension as Nottingham Forest Celebrate European Return
Nottingham, England — June 21, 2025
Nottingham Forest has confirmed that manager Nuno Espirito Santo will remain at the helm, following a historic season that saw the club return to European competition for the first time in nearly three decades. The Portuguese coach has signed a new three-year contract, keeping him at the City Ground until at least 2028, the club announced on Saturday.
The 51-year-old tactician was rewarded for guiding Forest to its best Premier League finish in 30 years, culminating in a spot in UEFA’s third-tier Conference League—a significant milestone given the club’s long absence from the continental stage. The last time Forest played in European competition was during the 1995–96 season.
Forest’s official club statement acknowledged the magnitude of the accomplishment:
> “Nuno masterminded an incredible 2024-25 season for Forest, guiding the club to its highest league finish in 30 years and thus qualifying for UEFA European competition for the first time since 1995-96.”
Under Nuno’s leadership, Forest enjoyed a string of high-profile victories, including impressive away wins at Anfield and Old Trafford, defeating Liverpool and Manchester United, respectively. These results marked a dramatic turnaround for a club that had been fighting for survival just a year earlier.
One of the season’s defining moments came in April when Forest secured a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on the road. That win briefly put the team in contention for a coveted Champions League berth. However, the club managed just one victory in its final five matches, slipping to seventh place in the Premier League table. That result meant Forest missed out on Champions League qualification, with only the top five teams gaining entry to Europe’s premier competition.
Despite the near miss, seventh place was enough to book Forest’s place in the Conference League playoff round. The club will discover its opponent during the draw on August 4.
The journey wasn’t without its tense moments. Following a 2-2 draw against local rivals Leicester City, Forest’s Champions League hopes took a blow. In a widely discussed incident, club owner Evangelos Marinakis was seen confronting Nuno on the pitch. Initial speculation centered around dissatisfaction with the result, but the club later clarified that Marinakis was voicing concerns about the handling of Taiwo Awoniyi’s injury.
However, any tension between the two appears to have been smoothed over. In a more upbeat tone on Saturday, Marinakis spoke highly of Nuno’s impact:
> “Nuno has made a great impact and performed very well during his time with us so far. He has demonstrated that he maximizes player performance and is an expert at developing players, whilst also embedding our young talent into the first team set-up.”
Nuno’s appointment came in December 2023, midway through a turbulent season. He replaced Steve Cooper, who was dismissed after a poor run of form left the club hovering near the relegation zone. Nuno was tasked with steadying the ship, and he did just that, ensuring Forest’s Premier League survival on the final day of the season.
Just over a year later, the club finds itself preparing for a return to Europe—something few would have predicted when Nuno first took charge.
Reflecting on the new deal and the progress made, Nuno expressed both pride and ambition:
> “I am delighted to be able to continue our journey at this fantastic football club,” he said. “Since we arrived at Forest, we have worked extremely hard to create a special bond between the players, the fans and everyone at the club, which helped us achieve great things last season.”
Nuno, who hails from the island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe, has an extensive managerial resume in English football. He first rose to prominence with Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he led the club from the Championship to the Premier League and enjoyed two strong top-flight campaigns, including European football. A brief and less successful spell at Tottenham Hotspur followed before he took over at Forest.
His tactical nous, calm demeanor, and ability to develop young players have made him a popular figure among Forest supporters. The recent success has only strengthened his position and reinforced the club’s belief in his leadership.
Under his guidance, Forest not only improved on the pitch but also put together their longest top-flight winning streak since 1967—a testament to the consistency and belief Nuno has instilled in the squad. Fans at the City Ground have responded with enthusiasm, filling the stands in what’s become one of the Premier League’s most raucous atmospheres.
Looking ahead, Nuno now faces the challenge of balancing domestic competition with the demands of European football. The upcoming season will test the squad’s depth and resilience, particularly with the added pressure of playing midweek fixtures in the Conference League.
However, for a club that was battling relegation not long ago, these are problems they’ll be glad to have. The new contract signals Forest’s confidence in Nuno to take them even further and perhaps compete for higher honors.
With the Premier League season on the horizon and the European draw fast approaching, the mood around the club is one of optimism. For Forest fans, the journey under Nuno Espirito Santo appears far from over—and the future is looking brighter than it has in years.