Former Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo is open to returning to management as soon as possible amid recent links with West Ham United, journalist Neil Goulding has revealed.
The Portuguese tactician was dismissed as Forest boss earlier this month after almost two years in charge, but is said to be ‘hungry’ for a new challenge, with his priority to remain in the Premier League.
Nuno has been linked with West Ham, who are enduring a difficult start to the season under Graham Potter and are already claimed to be considering a change in the dugout.
West Ham sit 18th in the table with three points from four games, following a 3-0 defeat in the London derby against Tottenham on Saturday.
West Ham Handed Nuno Espirito Santo Boost
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo
Forest relieved Nuno of his duties just three games into the Premier League season and less than three months after handing him a new three-year contract.
The 'incredible' Portuguese coach guided Forest to seventh in the Premier League last term, securing European football for the first time since the 1995/96 season.
Forest have since replaced Nuno with former Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou, who oversaw a 3-0 loss to Arsenal on his debut last weekend.
Nuno was appointed Forest boss in December 2023, following previous stints at Rio Ave, Valencia, Porto, Wolves, Tottenham and Al-Ittihad.
He guided the City Ground outfit to safety in his first season, with Forest finishing 17th in the Premier League, six points clear of relegation.
Doubts over Nuno’s future surfaced earlier this year when he admitted he was ‘not close’ to Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis and that their ‘relationship has changed’.
The 51-year-old also voiced frustration at senior figures involved in Forest’s transfer dealings during the summer, claiming the squad was ‘unbalanced’ and ‘very, very far’ from being ready for the new campaign.
West Ham’s defence has been one of Potter’s major concerns at the start of the season, with the club conceding 11 goals in their opening four matches – their second most at this stage of a Premier League campaign.
The Hammers’ three league defeats have all been by a margin of three or more goals, with their only home effort coming in the 5-1 thrashing by Chelsea last month.