By Daniel Edu
Nottingham Forest has ushered in a new era with the appointment of Nuno Espirito Santo as their head coach, replacing Steve Cooper, who was dismissed on Tuesday following a string of disappointing performances. This managerial change comes as Nigerian players Taiwo Awoniyi and Ola Aina prepare to navigate the remainder of the 2023-2023 Premier League season under Nuno’s guidance.
Nuno Espirito Santo, a seasoned coach with prior Premier League experience, has inked a two-and-a-half-year deal with the club. However, the duration of his tenure is contingent on the team’s performance, with the possibility of an early conclusion should the struggles persist.
The decision to part ways with Cooper was prompted by Nottingham Forest’s recent run of five defeats and a draw in their last six games, leaving the club languishing in the 17th spot and teetering five points above the relegation zone.
Having previously spent four successful seasons with Wolves, Nuno is no stranger to the Premier League. His tenure with Wolves saw the team achieve promotion in his debut season and secure seventh place in the league for two consecutive years. Additionally, he led the team to the quarterfinals of the Europa League.
After departing Wolves in the summer of 2021, Nuno had a brief stint with Spurs, which ended prematurely due to a string of five losses in seven games. Following this, he joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad, but his time there was cut short in November after reported conflicts with star player Karim Benzema, just months after clinching the league title.
Now, Nuno Espirito Santo is tasked with steering Nottingham Forest away from relegation, and the journey begins this Saturday as they face Bournemouth in a crucial match in the Premier League.