Nuno Herlander Simões Espírito Santo (born 25 January 1974) is a Portuguese-São Toméan football manager and former professional goalkeeper, currently managing Premier League club Nottingham Forest.
Early Life and Playing Career
- Born on the island of São Tomé, Nuno moved to Portugal as a child.
- As a goalkeeper, he played for clubs including Porto, Deportivo La Coruña, Dynamo Moscow, and Aves, amassing 209 professional appearances.
- He was part of Porto’s squad that won the 2002–03 UEFA Cup and the 2003–04 UEFA Champions League under José Mourinho, though he was often a backup.
- Internationally, Nuno represented Portugal at the 1996 Olympics and was part of the Euro 2008 squad, but never earned a senior cap.
Transition to Coaching
- After retiring in 2010, Nuno began as a goalkeeping coach at Málaga and Panathinaikos.
- His managerial breakthrough came with Rio Ave in 2012, leading them to both Portuguese domestic cup finals and their first-ever UEFA Europa League qualification.
Managerial Career Highlights
| Club | Years | Achievements/Notes |
| Rio Ave | 2012–2014 | Two domestic cup finals, Europa League qualification |
| Valencia CF | 2014–2015 | 4th in La Liga, Champions League qualification, 3x La Liga Manager of the Month |
| FC Porto | 2016–2017 | League runners-up, Champions League experience |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2017–2021 | Championship title, Premier League promotion, Europa League quarter-finals, 47.7% win rate |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 2021 | Short tenure, left after four months |
| Al-Ittihad | 2022–2023 | Saudi Pro League and Super Cup winner |
| Nottingham Forest | 2023–present | Kept Forest in Premier League, historic wins at Anfield and Old Trafford, multiple Manager of the Month awards in 2024–25 |
Unique Managerial Traits and Stats
- Tactical Identity: Nuno is known for disciplined, dynamic football, focusing on defensive structure, efficient transitions, and tactical flexibility. His teams often control games through shape and anticipation rather than possession.
- Win Rate: At Wolves, he achieved a 47.7% win rate, second highest in club history.
- Games Managed: Over 523 games managed, with 260 wins and 147 losses.
- Preferred Formation: Frequently uses a 4-2-3-1 setup.
Notable Achievements:
- First Nottingham Forest manager to win Premier League Manager of the Month three times in a single season (2024–25).
- Oversaw Forest’s first wins at Anfield since 1969 and Old Trafford since 1994.
- Led Wolves to their highest top-flight finish since 1980 and a Europa League quarter-final.
Honours
As Player (with Porto):
Primeira Liga ()4, Taça de Portugal (2), Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira (3), UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup, Intercontinental Cup.
As Manager
- EFL Championship (Wolves), Saudi Pro League and Super Cup (Al-Ittihad).
- Multiple Manager of the Month awards in England and Spain.
Personal Life
Nuno Herlander Simões Espírito Santo, known as Nuno Espírito Santo, is married to his long-term partner, Sandra. The couple has three children together. While specific details about how and where Nuno and Sandra met have not been publicly disclosed, their relationship has been described as stable and longstanding. As of 2020, they were living as a family, and Nuno has occasionally mentioned his family in interviews, reflecting his private but committed personal life.
Summary
Nuno Espírito Santo stands out for his rapid rise from goalkeeping coach to top-flight manager, his ability to transform teams’ fortunes, and his distinctive tactical philosophy rooted in discipline and adaptability. His journey from São Tomé to the heights of European and Middle Eastern football management is a testament to his resilience and vision.
