Nottingham Forest Seeks Fourth Coach After Sean Dyche’s 114-Day Tenure Ends

NOTTINGHAM (Azat TV) – Nottingham Forest has terminated Sean Dyche’s contract as head coach after just 114 days, the club confirmed shortly after midnight on Thursday, February 12, 2026. This abrupt decision, coming on the heels of a frustrating goalless draw against bottom-placed Wolves, plunges Forest into a search for its fourth permanent manager this Premier League season, an unprecedented level of instability as the team battles to avoid relegation.

The announcement from the club stated, “Nottingham Forest Football Club can confirm that Sean Dyche has been relieved of his duties as head coach. We would like to thank Sean and his staff for their efforts during their time at the club and we wish them the best of luck for the future. We will be making no further comment at this time.” The club currently sits just three points above the Premier League relegation zone with 12 games remaining, facing a daunting fixture list in the coming weeks.

Sean Dyche’s Brief Tenure at Nottingham Forest

Sean Dyche, 54, was appointed in October 2025, succeeding Ange Postecoglou, and had signed a contract extending until the summer of 2027. His arrival at the City Ground came with Forest 18th in the table, having secured only one win in eight games. Initially, Dyche appeared to stabilize the team, leading them to four wins and one draw in his first seven matches after an opening 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth, a run that lifted them out of the drop zone.

However, recent form saw a rapid decline in faith from both the board and fans. Despite a four-match unbeaten run earlier in his tenure, including a crucial 2-1 victory over fellow strugglers West Ham and a resilient draw with league leaders Arsenal, Forest managed only two wins in their last 10 league games. This period also included an FA Cup exit to Championship side Wrexham. The final straw appeared to be Wednesday’s 0-0 draw against Wolves, where Forest recorded an astounding 35 shots without finding the net – the most by a Premier League team without scoring since Manchester United in 2016, according to Sky Sports.

Owner Evangelos Marinakis was visibly frustrated during the Wolves match, frequently pictured looking agitated with every missed opportunity. Dyche himself seemed to anticipate the decision, stating after the game, “The owner has been fair to me, without a shadow of a doubt. If anyone chooses to change in football now, that’s their decision. We’ve all seen it. If the owner wants to make a change then that’s up to him, and that’s the way football is now, that’s just the reality of it.” Just hours before his dismissal, pundits like former England striker Alan Shearer and ex-Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy had publicly backed Dyche to guide Forest through their relegation battle, citing his Premier League experience.

Nottingham Forest’s Unprecedented Managerial Turmoil

Dyche’s departure marks an extraordinary level of managerial instability for Nottingham Forest this season. He was the third permanent head coach sacked by the club since the start of the 2025-26 campaign. Nuno Espirito Santo, who began the season, lasted only three matches before being dismissed after his relationship with owner Marinakis and global sporting director Edu reportedly deteriorated. His replacement, Ange Postecoglou, endured an even shorter stint, lasting just 39 days.

This means Forest is now set to become the first Premier League club to have four permanent managers in a single season. The instability comes despite significant investment, with the club spending £180 million in the summer transfer window and bringing in additional players in January. Sky Sports News’ Anton Toloui noted that frustrations had been growing within the club’s hierarchy regarding the team’s inability to capitalize on its attacking talent and move clear of the relegation places, particularly after failing to secure points against struggling teams like Crystal Palace, Leeds, and Wolves.

Relegation Battle and European Ambitions

Nottingham Forest’s current standing places them precariously close to the Premier League drop zone. Their upcoming fixtures present a formidable challenge, including clashes against title contenders Liverpool and Manchester City, as well as Brighton. The club has a seven-day break before their next significant fixture: a Europa League knockout play-off first leg against Turkish side Fenerbahce on Thursday, February 19.

Despite their domestic struggles, Forest surprisingly reached the knockout phase of the Europa League, finishing 13th in their group with four wins, two draws, and two defeats in eight matches. This European campaign, which was a result of Crystal Palace’s breach of multi-club ownership rules, was an unexpected turn for a club that finished seventh last season and had initially qualified for the Conference League. The juxtaposition of European ambition with severe domestic instability highlights the profound challenges facing the club’s leadership.

The rapid turnover of managers, culminating in Sean Dyche’s 114-day tenure, underscores a deep-seated institutional instability at Nottingham Forest, suggesting that the club’s substantial financial investment has yet to translate into a coherent long-term strategy, leaving them vulnerable to an ongoing cycle of crisis.