Exciting news for Nottingham Forest fans! Head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has just signed a new three-year contract that will keep him with the club until 2028. This decision comes after a great season where Forest managed to qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League — a major accomplishment for the team!
A New Chapter for Forest
Nottingham Forest is one of the oldest and most historic soccer clubs in England. The team was founded way back in 1865, which means they’ve been playing soccer for more than 150 years! Forest has won big trophies in the past, including two European Cups in 1979 and 1980 — back when they were one of the strongest teams in Europe.
But in recent years, things haven’t always gone smoothly. For a long time, Forest wasn’t even in the Premier League — the top league in English soccer. They were finally promoted back to the Premier League in 2022, after a 23-year absence, which was a huge moment for the club and their fans.
Nuno Espírito Santo Big Impact
Nuno Espírito Santo became the manager of Nottingham Forest in December 2023, after the club was struggling in the league. At the time, Forest needed someone experienced and strong to help turn things around. Nuno had already proven himself in the Premier League before — he had a successful spell managing Wolverhampton Wanderers, leading them from the second division (Championship) to the Premier League and even qualifying for Europe.
When Nuno joined Forest, he quickly made a difference. He helped the team become more organized, play smarter soccer, and believe in themselves again. Under his leadership, Forest climbed the league table and eventually did something amazing — they qualified for the Europa Conference League, a European competition created in 2021 for clubs that are good but didn’t quite make it into the bigger tournaments like the Champions League or Europa League.
Working Hard and Dreaming Big
Because of how well Nuno has done, Forest’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, was eager to keep him at the club for longer. That’s why they offered him a new contract — and Nuno happily accepted!
Marinakis said:
“Nuno has made a great impact and performed very well during his time with us so far. He has shown that he knows how to help players improve and that he can bring young talent into the team. We both have the same dream — to make Forest successful again, not just in England but also in Europe.”
That dream includes competing in top competitions, winning trophies, and making Forest a name that people across the world respect again.
Nuno Espírito Santo was just as happy. He said:
“I’m excited to continue this journey at this amazing football club. Since we arrived at Forest, we’ve worked really hard to build a strong connection between the players, the fans, and everyone at the club. That connection helped us succeed last season. Now, it’s time to work even harder to create more special memories.”
Nuno Espírito Santo Style: Players, Fans, and Family
One of the things people admire about Nuno is his calm but confident personality. He’s not the kind of coach who yells all the time. Instead, he teaches players to stay focused, play smart, and believe in teamwork. His teams are usually very well-organized and strong defensively, but they also know how to attack when the time is right.
At Forest, Nuno has brought the best out of players like Morgan Gibbs-White, a young midfielder who’s full of energy and creativity. Gibbs-White has said before that he enjoys working with coaches who give him freedom to express himself, and Nuno seems to do just that.
Nuno also gives chances to young players from the club’s academy — Forest has always been proud of its young talent, and Nuno is helping to develop the next generation of stars.
The fans love him too. At home games at the City Ground, Forest’s stadium, the crowd is always loud and supportive. Nuno has thanked them many times, saying the energy from the fans helps the team play better — especially during tough matches.
Nuno Espírito Santo
What’s Next for Forest?
With Nuno staying until 2028, Forest can now build for the future with confidence. The team will need to prepare for a very busy season, because playing in both the Premier League and the Europa Conference League means more matches, more travel, and more pressure.
That’s not easy, but it’s also a great chance for the club to grow. Players get to face teams from other countries, gain experience, and prove themselves on the European stage. For the fans, it means exciting nights of soccer and the possibility of new historic moments.
Fun Soccer Facts:
Nottingham Forest’s highest Premier League finish in the modern era (after 1992) was 3rd place in 1994-95.
The Europa Conference League started in 2021. Past winners include AS Roma and West Ham United.
Nuno Espírito Santo full name is Nuno Herlander Simões Espírito Santo, and he was a goalkeeper before becoming a coach.
Nuno helped Wolves finish 7th in the Premier League two years in a row, which was their best finish in decades.
Forest’s stadium, City Ground, holds about 30,000 fans and is located right by the River Trent.
- Nuno Espírito Santo
Why This Matters
For young soccer fans, this story shows that with the right leadership and teamwork, even clubs that have been struggling can dream big again. Nuno Espírito Santo’s new contract isn’t just about keeping a coach — it’s about building a future, one step at a time.
With their coach staying, their fans cheering, and their players improving, Nottingham Forest is writing a new chapter in their long soccer story. Who knows? Maybe in a few years, they’ll be lifting trophies again — just like in the old days!
