Jose Mourinho could be set for a sensational return to the Premier League with Nottingham Forest reportedly considering the Portuguese manager as a potential replacement for under-pressure Nuno Espirito Santo.
The Special One, currently managing Turkish giants Fenerbahce, has emerged as an unexpected candidate alongside former Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou as tensions mount between Nuno and the Forest hierarchy. Sources close to the City Ground suggest the club’s owner Evangelos Marinakis is weighing up his options after a dramatic breakdown in relations with his current manager.
Nuno stunned reporters at Friday’s press conference by openly acknowledging the deteriorating situation, admitting “there is no smoke without fire” when questioned about reports suggesting his position was under threat.
“I always had a very good relationship with the owner, last season was very close, almost talking on a daily basis,” the 51-year-old revealed. “This season, not so well. No, it’s not close.”
Tensions Reach Breaking Point
The friction between Nuno and Marinakis appears to stem from multiple sources, with the appointment of former Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar as global head of football in July proving particularly problematic. Sources indicate Nuno has struggled to establish a working relationship with Edu, who now oversees all football operations including recruitment and squad strategy.
“The reality is that it’s not what it used to be,” Nuno admitted during his extraordinary press conference. “It used to be a good, respectful relationship, based more on trust and sharing opinions, and now it’s not so good.”
Sky Sports News understands Marinakis and Forest bosses were left “baffled” by Nuno’s public comments, with no prior intention to sack the manager who led them to seventh place last season. However, his words have now caused serious questions about his commitment to the role going forward.
The timing of this crisis could hardly be worse, coming just days before Sunday’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Forest spent almost £100 million (approximately $125 million) on four new players this week, including James McAtee, Omari Hutchinson, Arnaud Kalimuendo and Douglas Luiz, in what Marinakis believed was a show of faith in his manager.
Mourinho’s Turkish Troubles
For Mourinho, a return to English football would offer an escape route from an increasingly turbulent spell at Fenerbahce. The 61-year-old has endured a controversial tenure in Turkey, regularly clashing with officials and receiving multiple suspensions for his conduct.
In November 2024, he was banned for one game after attacking the Turkish Super Lig, claiming “Nobody abroad wants to watch the Turkish league. Who wants to watch this Turkish league abroad? It’s too grey, it’s too dark, smells bad.”
His antics reached new heights in April 2025 when he grabbed the nose of Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk following a 2-1 defeat, leading to criminal proceedings for alleged racist statements. Despite guiding Fenerbahce to second place, they trail rivals Galatasaray by eight points with the title seemingly out of reach.
When asked about his future in May, Mourinho refused to confirm whether he would remain at Fenerbahce next season. “I’m not speaking about next season,” he said. “These are things to speak internally and not with the media.”
Reports from Turkey suggest Mourinho has already reached an agreement to leave Fenerbahce, with Portuguese outlet claiming he could take over as Portugal national team manager. However, the prospect of an immediate return to Premier League management may prove more appealing.
The Special One’s English Legacy
Mourinho’s credentials in English football remain formidable despite mixed recent experiences. Across two spells at Chelsea, he won three Premier League titles, four League Cups and an FA Cup. His Manchester United tenure yielded Europa League and League Cup triumphs, while even his brief Tottenham reign included a League Cup final appearance.
The Portuguese has previously expressed his admiration for Nottingham Forest’s history, particularly their European Cup-winning legacy under Brian Clough. In a 2015 book foreword, Mourinho revealed he made a special trip to Nottingham during Euro 96 to see where Clough achieved his miracles.
“I walked all the way around the city and when I saw the stadium I thought: ‘Are you kidding me, this club won the European Cup? Twice?'” Mourinho wrote. “A small stadium, a small crowd. I looked around and tried to take it in.”
Alternative Options
While Mourinho represents the most box-office appointment, Forest are exploring multiple options. Ange Postecoglou, recently dismissed by Tottenham, is understood to be a leading candidate having impressed with his attacking philosophy despite ultimately failing at Spurs.
TEAMtalk sources also indicate Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers features on Forest’s shortlist. The 52-year-old Northern Irishman led Celtic to the Scottish Premiership title last season and brings extensive Premier League experience from Liverpool and Leicester City.
Forest had already poached one member of Nuno’s backroom staff earlier this summer when assistant coach António Dias joined Mourinho at Fenerbahce, potentially smoothing any transition should the Special One arrive at the City Ground.
Critical Juncture
For now, Nuno is expected to take charge of Sunday’s crucial fixture against Crystal Palace, though journalist Ben Jacobs reported there remains a chance he could be relieved of duties even before then. The match carries extra significance as Forest claimed Palace’s Europa League spot after the London club’s demotion to the Conference League due to multi-club ownership rules.
Forest fans find themselves at a crossroads. Many will view the potential disruption as unnecessary given Nuno’s achievements last season, guiding them to their first European qualification since 1995-96. His 33-point improvement from the previous campaign represents one of the most dramatic transformations in Premier League history.
However, if the relationship between manager and ownership has irretrievably broken down, Forest’s volatile owner may feel compelled to act. Marinakis has never shied away from bold decisions, and the prospect of appointing one of football’s most decorated managers could prove irresistible.
As the Premier League’s most unpredictable saga unfolds, all eyes turn to Selhurst Park on Sunday. Will it be Nuno’s last stand, or can he somehow repair a relationship that appears damaged beyond repair? One thing seems certain: at Nottingham Forest, there truly is no smoke without fire.
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Image Credit (Shortened):
José Mourinho at Dynamo Kyiv vs Chelsea (20 Oct 2015, Kyiv) – by Aleksandr Osipov, licensed under CC BY‑SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
