Taiwo Awoniyi at the Centre as Nottingham Forest Sack Nuno Espirito Santo
Nottingham Forest have sacked head coach Nuno Espirito Santo after 21 months in charge, despite the Portuguese manager guiding the club to its best league finish in three decades. The decision has thrust Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi into the spotlight, as his injury saga and on-field influence became defining moments of Nuno’s tenure.
Awoniyi’s Goals Defined Nuno’s Forest
When Nuno arrived in December 2023, Forest were 17th and staring at relegation. Awoniyi’s goals were vital in keeping the club afloat, and his sharp finishing turned Forest into an attacking threat. By the 2024–25 season, Awoniyi had scored crucial winners against Liverpool, Manchester United, and Manchester City, helping the club finish seventh and secure European football for the first time since 1995.
Injury Row Sparked Boardroom Tensions
The Nigerian forward also became a flashpoint in Nuno’s deteriorating relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis. In May 2025, Awoniyi played on after a late injury in a 2-2 draw against Leicester. He later required urgent surgery, prompting Marinakis to confront the situation angrily.
Forest denied there was a direct confrontation with Nuno, but insiders suggest the incident widened the gulf between manager and owner. The striker’s situation highlighted deeper disputes over transfer policies and player management.
From Survival to Europe
Nuno’s record at Forest included 73 matches, with 28 wins, 20 draws, and 25 defeats. His achievements — lifting the club from relegation battle to European qualification — were unprecedented in the modern era. He signed a three-year contract extension in June, but the collapse of trust with Marinakis proved decisive.
Awoniyi, meanwhile, emerged as one of the most reliable Nigerian forwards in Europe, enhancing his reputation with clutch goals in the Premier League and on the continental stage.
What Next for Awoniyi?
With Nuno gone and former Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou among the candidates to take over, Awoniyi’s role may once again shift. Analysts warn that Forest’s internal politics could affect squad balance and cast uncertainty over their Nigerian talisman’s future at the club.
For now, Awoniyi remains central to Forest’s ambitions — a reminder that the club’s recent progress was built on his ability to deliver when it mattered most.
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