Nottingham Forest’s transfer window closes with promise — but Nuno’s future remains clouded

Nottingham Forest’s sluggish summer suddenly roared into life in the final weeks of the transfer window, leaving Nuno Espiriot Santo with arguably the deepest and most balanced squad of the Evangelos Marinakis era let alone the club’s history.

On paper, it’s a group built for progress.

Yet as optimism rises over the quality of the squad, the focus has shifted uncomfortably onto the uncertain future of head coach Nuno.

The 3–0 defeat at home to West Ham — lost inside a chaotic seven-minute spell — was about more than just the scoreline. It was the manner of the collapse.

For the first time in years, the City Ground began to empty before the final whistle, a worrying sight for a fanbase that has rarely lacked patience in recent times but still bares the scars following decades of failure.

Fractures behind the scenes

Supporters still carry plenty of goodwill for Nuno, who last season steered a threadbare squad into Europe. But cracks have begun to show. His public criticisms of the club’s transfer timing — and thinly-veiled frustration with Marinakis — have created an air of unease.

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“The owner will be hoping that his Head Coach and Edu can put their differences aside for the good of the club in what promises to be the most exciting since the Clough era.”

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The spotlight has also fallen on his relationship with sporting director Edu, the former Arsenal figure whose appointment was seen as a coup. While details remain unclear, talk of misalignment in footballing vision lingers — and no number of late signings can fully mask that tension.

One Forest supporter James Baird-Parker said:

“I imagine all involved at Forest would have hoped for a victory against West Ham to allow the noise to die down.

“Instead, Forest imploded and the noise around his tenure is louder than ever.

“I, personally, wish for a positive resolution and for Nuno to lead us into Europe, but if there is a significant rift behind the scenes, it’s difficult to see how his position remains tenable.”

A slow summer transfer market

Forest’s delayed transfer business was not solely of their own making. The Club World Cup and a series of overseas tours compressed the European market, leaving many clubs slow to act.

Domestically, the sale of Antony Elanga and constant noise around Morgan Gibbs-White unsettled both fans and squad.

And then there was Europe. The club’s participation in the Europa League wasn’t confirmed until just before the Premier League season kicked off, after UEFA’s ruling on Crystal Palace. That uncertainty inevitably complicated recruitment: the Europa League represents a far more attractive prospect for players and agents than the Conference League. 

A stronger, deeper squad

When the signings finally came, they came thick and fast.

Early arrivals Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha were joined by Omari Hutchinson, James McAtee, Arnaud Kalimuendo, Douglas Luiz, Nicolò Savona, Cuiabano, John Victor, Diane Bakwa, and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

The squad now looks transformed. Every position has genuine competition, while Forest have remained faithful to their strategy of targeting players with resale potential. Add to that fresh contracts for Gibbs-White, Murillo, Matz Sels, Ola Aina, Neco Williams, and Callum Hudson-Odoi, and there is a clear long-term vision taking shape.

“What a window! When the biggest debate is over whether a highly-rated England U21 international was slightly overpriced, you know it’s been a strong one.

“Zinchenko looks a shrewd addition for versatility and leadership, and the winger depth is hugely exciting. The challenge now is bedding everyone in and managing squad size,” said fan Andy Williamson.

The cohesion question

If there is a lingering concern, it’s timing. With so many arrivals coming late, Nuno has had little opportunity to build rhythm and relationships in pre-season. Chemistry on the training ground takes time — time Forest no longer have.

Another fan, Chris Slack, shared that concern:

“The timing of Nuno’s comments was very surprising. Even as supporters, who eat up every transfer rumour,

“I think we understood why business would be later this summer. The club have delivered quality in depth, and now Nuno has to show he can manage a larger, more talented squad after seemingly talking himself onto the edge of the diving board.”

Forest are not alone — Aston Villa, Newcastle, Fulham, and Brentford all wrestled with disrupted summers.

But harmony is easier to foster in July than in September – these are the simple facts which have not aligned with the transfer market. Nobody within the club could control those factors, and so pulling together to get on with the job is what both Nuno and Maranakis have said separately in recent weeks.

The owner will be hoping that his Head Coach and Edu can put their differences aside for the good of the club in what promises to be the most exciting since the Clough era. The real hard work starts now given the cards that have been dealt but Forest do not have a bad hand to play by any stretch.

What if Nuno goes?

If the rift proves irreparable, Marinakis may once again reach for a heavyweight name.

José Mourinho, newly departed from Fenerbahçe, is the obvious headline-grabber, though his combustible nature might clash with the structures Forest are attempting to build. Ange Postecoglou’s name has also been mentioned, but his struggles to juggle Europe and the Premier League at Spurs hardly recommend him for Forest’s congested calendar.

The likes of Oliver Glasner, Marco Silva and Andoni Iraola are all at clubs that have struggled with recruitment themselves and the Forest job could be of interest. Whether Maranakis would have the clout to attract those types of names would be a measure of his reputation now the Reds are competing in the Premier League.

Whoever stands in the dugout, one thing is certain: Forest cannot afford to let off-field uncertainty derail what should be a pivotal season. With European football secured, a deeper squad, and youthful talent across the pitch, the margin for error is as thin as ever.

Final thoughts

On paper, Nottingham Forest’s summer has delivered exactly what was needed: depth, balance, and long-term planning.

Yet the positivity of the window sits uneasily alongside the question marks over Nuno’s future. Whether he steadies the ship or Marinakis acts decisively, this season’s success will depend as much on off-field alignment as it will on performances under the City Ground lights.

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