Portuguese coach Nuno Espírito Santo has left Nottingham Forest, with reports suggesting that former Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou is in line to take over.

His exit comes just three games into the new campaign, drawing a close to a 21-month term in charge at the City Ground.

Nottingham Forest confirmed the decision on Tuesday, thanking the coach for “a very successful era” and saying he would “always hold a special place” in the club’s journey.

Nuno joined the club in December 2023, following Steve Cooper’s dismissal, and successfully maintained Forest’s status in the Premier League, despite a four-point penalty for violating financial regulations.

In the 2024/2025 season, Nuno Espírito Santo achieved the team’s highest league finish since 1995, guiding them to seventh place and into European football to play in the Europa League for the first time in 30 years. His achievements earned him a new three-year contract in June.

During his spell at the club, he took charge of 73 matches, winning 28, drawing 20, and losing 25. These matches featured notable wins, including one at Anfield, as well as home and away victories over Manchester United, and a run to the FA Cup semi-finals.

But his time in charge was marked by tensions with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.

Nuno admitted last month their relationship had worsened, pointing to frustrations over the club’s transfer business.

Forest spent close to £196 million in the summer window, yet Espírito felt recruitment was poorly managed and players were integrated too slowly.

Those disagreements, alongside a 3-0 defeat at home to West Ham before the international break, proved decisive. Talks with Marinakis over the club’s direction followed, with both parties agreeing to part ways.

Forest, currently sitting 10th in the table, are expected to move swiftly to appoint a successor, with Postecoglou among the names under consideration.