West Ham United head coach Nuno Espirito Santo may have inadvertently played a role in the sacking of Sean Dyche at Nottingham Forest, according to Alan Shearer.
Dyche became the third manager sacked by Forest this season, following in the footsteps of both Nuno and Ange Postecoglou.
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A graphic showing Nuno Espirito Santo's quote after West Ham draw with Manchester United
Credit: Getty Images/Justin Setterfield
Given the nature of his dismissal at Forest, it would be quite something if Nuno kept West Ham in the Premier League at the expense of his former club.
Indeed, West Ham’s revival played a key role in Forest’s decision to sack Dyche, and Shearer was keen to point that out when speaking on The Rest Is Football.
Alan Shearer highlights West Ham resurgence for role in Nottingham Forest panic
The Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer said: “This is all Nuno’s fault by the way at West Ham because of their resurgence that two or three of the clubs are now starting to panic and thinking ****, because of their form and because of their results.
“Because they were done four or five weeks ago as we’ve said many times but their results of late have given all the other clubs [reason to panic].”
Things are about to get VERY tough! 😟
How many points can you see us picking up here?
West Ham United's Portuguese head coach Nuno Espírito Santo reacts during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Manchester United at the London Stadium in east London on February 10, 2026.
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West Ham, of course, are now just three points off Forest and thereby safety in the Premier League table with just 12 games left to play.
Nuno’s side are now one of the form teams in the Premier League and the prospect of them overtaking Forest cannot be discounted.
That would be hugely embarrassing for Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who sacked Nuno after a breakdown in their relationship.
Nuno and Sean Dyche shake hands before West Ham play Nottingham Forest.
Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP via Getty Images
Nottingham Forest want to appoint another Nuno in their relegation battle with West Ham
Nuno has backed Dyche to land a new job quickly, with sackings sadly par for the course at elite level these days.
Interestingly, it could be argued that Forest actually regret sacking Nuno. That’s because, according to The Guardian, the club are now looking to appoint a manager who has similar man-management skills as the Hammers head coach for the final few games of the campaign.
They are reportedly closing in on a move for former Wolves coach Vitor Pereira.
Ironically, Hammers News reported back in September that West Ham were interested in appointing Pereira before he signed a new contract at Molineux, though he was sacked not long after.
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