The ‘concerns’ Nottingham Forest had ahead of tying manager Nuno Espirito Santo down to a new contract

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Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has signed a new contract at the City Ground and TBR Football can provide some behind-the-scenes information about the deal.

Nottingham Forest have rewarded Nuno Espirito Santo with a new three-year deal at the City Ground after the superb work he has done with the club so far.

The Portuguese coach guided Forest to seventh in the Premier League last season, getting them into Europe for the first time since 1995/96.

Nuno, who kept Forest up on the final day of the 2023/24 season, also took the Reds to the 2024/25 FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1991.

TBR Football can reveal what prompted Forest to move now to tie Nuno down and also how much threat the Saudi Pro League posed the Reds for their boss.

Nuno Espirito Santo ‘very happy’ at Nottingham Forest as Saudi Pro League fails to turn his head

TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey confirmed that, while Forest were never overly worried about Nuno’s contract, they were aware it could “become a distraction”.

In addition, the Saudi Pro League were in “constant contact” to try and turn his head, but to no avail.

“Forest were never really worried about Nuno and his contract,” Bailey exclusively told TBR Football.

“However, they had concerns that it would become a distraction so they are delighted to get that put to bed and they are really pleased the deal is until 2028.

“I can confirm that the Saudi Pro League have been in constant contact trying to persuade Nuno to return to the Pro League following a stint with Al-Ittihad where he did the double.

“But Nuno is very happy in Nottingham.”

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What pundits said about Nuno Espirito Santo last season

Nuno’s work last season earned him widespread praise among plenty of pundits.

For instance, Darren Bent told talkSPORT in January that the job he has been doing is “absolutely perfect”.

Meanwhile, co-host Andy Goldstein said Nuno has done a “remarkable” job in steering Forest into the upper levels of the table.

And in April, Steve Sidwell noted on Sky Sports how united the Forest dressing room looks, and said Nuno is “manager of the year for me”.