Nottingham Forest have reportedly identified a Premier League title winner as a potential replacement for Nuno Espirito Santo.
Nuno has guided Forest to four points from their opening two top-flight fixtures of 2025-26 against Brentford and Crystal Palace respectively.
However, behind the scenes, tension between the Portuguese and the club's owner Evangelos Marinakis and sporting director Edu Gaspar is said to have grown.
Reports persist that Nuno could be removed from his position as head coach, despite him publicly admitting that he is eager to find a positive resolution with Forest chiefs over the coming days.
Unless Forest release a statement to back Nuno, speculation will only persist regarding a change in the dugout, former Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou having already been linked with a switch to the City Ground.
Real Betis head coach Manuel Pellegrini on October 6, 2024
Forest interested in former Man City boss?
According to Chilean outlet La Tercera, Forest have recently added Manuel Pellegrini to the list of possible alternatives to Nuno.
The 71-year-old is currently with Real Betis, who he led to the Conference League final in 2024-25 before losing to Chelsea.
Pellegrini has just entered his sixth campaign at Betis, where he has won 121 of 258 games, but he has les than one year remaining on his contract.
Forest have allegedly made contact with intermediaries of the ex-Manchester City boss to establish whether he has any interest in a third stint in the Premier League.
In the same report, it is suggested that Pellegrini has concerns over the progress of his Betis squad, even having collected four points from games against Elche and Alaves.
As well as failing to re-sign former loan star Antony from Manchester United, some notable names have been sold during the summer transfer window.
Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo pictured in May 2025
Should Forest be aiming higher than Pellegrini?
With 1,557 matches and 11 pieces of silverware, Pellegrini is a managerial legend, but his last notable success was the 2021-22 Copa del Rey.
In terms of the Premier League, he lifted the 2013-14 trophy with Man City, but he went on to have unsuccessful stints at Hebei China Fortune and West Ham United after leaving the Etihad Stadium.
Despite his experience, Forest fans would likely be underwhelmed if Pellegrini was appointed as their new head coach, although that may be the case with most possible successors to Nuno when they have struck up such a rapport with him.
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