Nuno Espirito Santo makes ‘sad’ Tottenham admission ahead of Nottingham Forest return

Former Tottenham Hotspur boss Nuno Espirito Santo has opened up on the emotions he will experience during his return to north London with Nottingham Forest.

Espirito Santo had a brief spell as Spurs manager in 2021, where he was in charge for just four months before being replaced by Antonio Conte. The 50-year-old was appointed as Forest manager in December and is preparing for his first meeting against his old club since his exit more than two years ago.

Despite his brief tenure as Spurs boss, Espirito Santo was full of praise for the qualities of his former club ahead of Sunday’s match. The Forest manager left Spurs after just 17 matches in charge in north London, and will now be looking for a result that would deal a blow to Tottenham’s hopes of finishing in the Premier League’s top four.

However, as Espirito Santo readies for his first return to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, he dispels any suggestion that he has anything to prove at the home of his former employers.

“I have learned from all moments of my life and all the experiences I have had. They (Spurs) are some also. I started managing in 2011 or 2012. From all the experiences I have had, there was always some learning to take from them – and that was no exception. The moment was a sad moment, but life keeps on going.

“Spurs are a team full of very talented players, with a good manager. They are in a good moment. It is going to be hard.”