Nottingham Forest sack third manager of the season after 114 days

Dyche Sacked by Nottingham Forest as Relegation Battle Intensifies

Turbulent season forces decisive action

Sean Dyche has been sacked by Nottingham Forest after just 114 days in charge, bringing further upheaval to a club already navigating one of the most unstable campaigns in its recent history.

As first reported by RTÉ Sport, Forest dismissed Dyche in the immediate aftermath of a goalless Premier League draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers — a result that left the club hovering three points above the relegation zone. The stalemate, played at the City Ground, proved decisive. Despite dominating chances against the division’s bottom side, Forest failed to convert, and patience at boardroom level ran out.

A brief club statement confirmed Dyche had been “relieved of his duties as head coach”, thanking him and his staff while adding that no further comment would be made at this time.

For Nottingham Forest, the word sacked has become a recurring theme this season. Dyche’s departure makes him the third first-team manager to lose his job during the 2025–26 campaign — an extraordinary statistic that underlines the volatility surrounding the club.

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Results slump undermines Dyche tenure

Dyche arrived on 21 October with a mandate to steady a side drifting dangerously towards the bottom three. A former Forest trainee who resides in Nottingham, he was seen as a pragmatic appointment — a manager capable of restoring defensive structure and resilience.

There were early signs of promise. His first game in charge brought victory over Porto in European competition, and a commanding 3-0 away win at reigning champions Liverpool suggested momentum was building. For a brief period, Forest appeared to have rediscovered clarity and discipline.

However, form quickly deteriorated. The draw against Wolves extended a troubling run to just two wins in ten Premier League fixtures. Forest were also eliminated from the FA Cup by Championship side Wrexham, compounding pressure internally and externally.

Underlying concerns centred on attacking inefficiency. Against Wolves, Forest created numerous opportunities but lacked composure in front of goal. In a relegation battle where margins are slim, such profligacy carries consequences.

Marinakis influence shapes Forest strategy

Owner Evangelos Marinakis has never been shy of decisive intervention. Last season, Forest finished seventh in the Premier League under Nuno Espírito Santo, narrowly missing out on Champions League qualification but securing European football for the first time since 1995–96.

Yet stability proved fleeting. Nuno signed a new three-year contract in June 2025 but was sacked in September following a breakdown in relations with Marinakis. Ange Postecoglou was appointed soon after, only to be dismissed 40 days later following a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea.

Dyche was subsequently installed as the club’s third head coach of the season, supported by former Forest figures Ian Woan and Steve Stone. His appointment was viewed internally as a reset — a return to fundamentals amid escalating uncertainty.

Instead, the cycle has continued. Nottingham Forest now begin the search for a fourth managerial figure in less than a year, with survival in the Premier League hanging in the balance.

Relegation pressure defines next chapter

Forest remain outside the relegation zone but only marginally. With fixtures tightening and confidence fragile, any incoming appointment will inherit a squad short on consistency and confidence.

Dyche’s dismissal reflects broader structural tension rather than a singular failure. He inherited instability and, despite flashes of progress, was unable to generate sustained results. The decision to sack him illustrates the urgency within the club hierarchy as the relegation fight intensifies.

Nottingham Forest’s ambitions remain significant — European football last season raised expectations — but the current priority is survival. Stability has so far eluded them. Whether a fourth managerial change provides clarity or deepens uncertainty will define the coming months.

For Dyche, the episode represents a brief and challenging chapter in a long coaching career. For Forest, it is another sharp turn in a season already defined by managerial churn.

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