Forest leadership under pressure

A public row between Nuno Espirito Santo and Edu Gaspar tests how Nottingham Forest is governed amid a flurry of new signings.

Nuno and Edu clash tests Nottingham Forest leadership

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis announced Edu Gaspar, the former Arsenal sporting director, as Global Head of Football on July 7, 2025, a move framed as a major step in strengthening the club’s recruitment. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo has publicly criticized how the summer transfer plan was handled, and behind the scenes the two men have grown apart. Edu arrived with Kia Joorabchian, a close ally, intensifying the sense of a power shift at the City Ground.

Forest followed Nuno’s public critique with a wave of signings, including Omari Hutchinson, Arnaud Kalimuendo, James McAtee, and a loan deal for Douglas Luiz with an obligation to buy. Nuno told Sky he was worried about the club’s preparation and described the situation as a major problem, though he did not name Edu directly. Marinakis appeared to back Edu as the club moved to change the recruitment narrative, while the manager said their relationship had changed and was no longer as close as before. The club’s transfer activity shifted the PR story, but the underlying rift remained visible as two central figures in Forest’s project were not on speaking terms.

Power struggles like this can derail a club’s plans. When the manager and head of football are publicly at odds, decisions on signings and strategy can be pulled in different directions, creating uncertainty for players and staff. Forest's big spending last week shows both a rapid attempt to steady the ship and a reliance on personalities to steer it, which is risky if not coordinated.

Ownership style matters. Marinakis has poured money and shaped the club's direction, but aligning Edu’s recruitment approach with Nuno’s footballing vision is essential for stability. The question is whether Forest can build a shared playbook that unites the dressing room with the boardroom before the season deepens its problems. The club's next moves will reveal whether this is a fragile moment or a turning point in Forests fortunes.

Highlights

The next steps will reveal whether Nottingham Forest can steady a fragile balance.