Nottingham Forest CONFIRM Nuno Espirito Santo as their new manager on a two-and-a-half year deal - less than 24 hours after sacking Steve Cooper following woeful run with just one win in their last 13 games

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Nuno Espirito Santo has been confirmed as the new Nottingham Forest manager on a dramatic 24 hours at the City Ground. 

Former boss Steve Cooper was dismissed on Tuesday by the Tricky Trees, with the Welshman winning just one of his last 13 games at the helm, although he was a firm fan favourite.

Speculation had been swirling over his immediate future at the club, and although supporters could be heard singing his name in recent clashes with Wolves and Tottenham, Evangelos Marinakis' outfit pulled the trigger.

In a statement from the club, Forest confirmed that Nuno 'will take charge of his first training session with the squad on Wednesday morning as they prepare for Saturday’s Premier League fixture when The Reds host Bournemouth at The City Ground.'

Nuno has been out of a job for almost a month and a half since he was dismissed as manager of Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad, but arrives with plenty of Premier League experience. 

Nuno Espirito Santo has been announced as the new manager of Nottingham Forest

Steve Cooper was dismissed from his role in charge of the Tricky Trees earlier on Tuesday

The Portuguese manager emerged as one of the best upcoming coaches in football for his work at Wolves

Since taking Wolves up to the Premier League in 2017-18 and impressing with his side's attractive style of play, he spent three-and-a-half campaigns in the top-flight, joining Tottenham for the first few months of 2021-22. 

While his time at Wolves put Nuno in great stead as an upcoming manager in the English game, the unceremonious ending to his stint in north London will perhaps leave Forest fans with some trepidation.

At Tottenham, Nuno's side were built on a back five and played arguably defensive football which left much to be desired, particularly when the club boasted the attacking talents of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min. 

His stint at Al-Ittihad came to an end after falling to a 2-0 defeat against Iraqi side Al-Quwa Al-Juwiya in the Asian Champions League with a team boasting the likes of Karim Benzema, Fabinho and N'Golo Kante.

Details of a bust-up behind closed doors with Benzema were revealed, with the manager claiming the Ballon d'Or winner was not exerting himself enough in tracking back.

Reports also claimed that Benzema doubted whether the Portuguese manager could further the project in the Saudi Pro League, although this was not touched upon in any official statement. 

He arrives now at a club that are aspiring to finish inside the top 10 in the Premier League, following last term's narrow escape from an immediate return to the Championship. 

Forest however are currently sat just five points above the relegation zone, with nine defeats from their first 17 games of 2023-24. 

Espirito Santo arrives with the club five points off bottom and with only one win in their last 13

The 49-year-old was sacked as Al-Ittihad boss in November after a string of poor results

It has been a miserable campaign for the Tricky Trees, who have struggled to pick up points against their closest rivals. 

A win over Sheffield United in August was followed by draws with Burnley, Crystal Palace, Luton and Wolves. 

In addition to those stalemates, the club have lost nine games so far, which is some way short of their hopes of finishing in the top half.

Nuno does however arrive with the January transfer window a few weeks away, meaning he will have a perfect opportunity to bring in any bodies that he might have identified to fill problem areas, and move on any that have no future under his reign.