English Premier League
Early Christmas gift as Taiwo Awoniyi, Ola Aina and Emmanuel Dennis get a new coach
By Monsurah Olatunji
Nigerian international trio of Taiwo Awoniyi, Ola Aina, and Emmanuel Dennis, will finish 2023 season under a new manager as Nottingham Forest have confirmed the appointment of Nuno Espirito Santo as their new manager, following the sacking of Steve Cooper.
Cooper’s departure comes after a difficult period for Forest. Forest have won just one of their last 13 games, leaving them in the bottom four of the English Premier League table.
According to reports, Nuno joins Forest on a two-and-a-half-year contract and is set to lead the team in his first match on Saturday against Bournemouth at The City Ground.
He previously spent four seasons at Wolves and guided the team to promotion to the Premier League during his first season in 2018.
After which he briefly managed Tottenham Hotspur in 2021 before parting ways following a series of disappointing results, subsequently being replaced by Antonio Conte.
He then took over as manager of Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad and led the team to their first league title in 14 years before parting ways in November due to a run of five league games without a win.
However, Nuno will be without Awoniyi -whose injury during international duty has left a gaping hole in their league campaign- when he leads the dugout on Saturday.
Awoniyi picked a groin injury while on duty with the Nigerian national team, a 1-1 draw against Lesotho in a World Cup qualifier that proved costly for both club and country.
The Nigerian registered 15 goals and provided three assists in 41 appearances under the former manager and he will be willing to continue his scoring form under new manager.
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