Inside Nottingham Forest's 'cult of Nuno': How revitalised manager's bear hugs, 'fun games' and a simple set of instructions turned Forest into a force - and the one nagging question he still has to answer
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Nuno Espirito Santo is the Premier League manager of the season so far. But last summer it was far from certain he would even start the campaign at Nottingham Forest. Despite keeping the club in the top flight in tricky circumstances, not everybody at Forest was sold on Nuno, nor he on them.
![[Forest are just six points behind league leaders Liverpool, who they host on Tuesday night]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/13/19/94049835-14279997-image-a-50_1736798389922.jpg)
He was in danger of being dismissed at least once before the end of last season, amid uncertainty about his methods and suitability. Mail Sport understands some players were even canvassed for their opinions as Forest chiefs considered the next steps.
![[Much of the success has been down to the culture at the club, which has allowed the players to thrive]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/13/22/94052197-14279997-image-a-45_1736806287914.jpg)
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has made a number of smart decisions in the last 12 months yet none is better than sticking with Nuno. As they prepare to face leaders Liverpool at the City Ground on Tuesday, Nuno has turned Forest into a force of nature through counter-attacking, scant squad rotation and a set of simple instructions. A win would move them three points off top, albeit having played a game more than Liverpool.
![[The Forest boss often shows his approval by giving a player who has performed well a huge bear hug]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/13/20/94049929-14279997-image-a-51_1736798618477.jpg)
In other words, he has moulded them into title contenders using methods many would deem too basic for the modern game. Nuno Espirito Santo has turned Nottingham Forest into a force of nature this season. Forest are just six points behind league leaders Liverpool, who they host on Tuesday night.
![[Nuno is shed to have shed a tear when he left Wolves, showing a different side to the Portuguese boss]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/13/20/94050045-14279997-image-a-54_1736798816642.jpg)
Much of the success has been down to the culture at the club, which has allowed the players to thrive. To the casual observer, Nuno is the coach who had a nightmare at Tottenham in 2021 and lasted barely four months there, but that will not define his career in English football. Nuno built something magical in four years at Wolves and he is doing the same at the City Ground.
![[Forest claimed a 3-0 win at Nuno's old club Wolves in their most recent Premier League outing]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/13/20/94050083-14279997-image-a-55_1736798986893.jpg)
