Four familiar faces on Nuno staff at Nottingham Forest, but no Cathro

NUNO ESPIRITO SANTO has taken a quartet of familiar faces with him to Nottingham Forest - but not long-time assistant Ian Cathro.

The 49-year-old succeeded Steve Cooper as Forest manager last week. The club today announced that four staff who have worked with Espirito Santo for most of his career would be joining him:

• Rui Pedro Silva (Assistant): Was Espirito Santo’s number two in his first managerial job, at Rio Ave in 2012. Went on to work with him at Valencia, Porto and Wolves, but not at Tottenham, having decided to pursue his own managerial career. Took charge of Famalicão in the Portuguese top flight in December 2022, but lasted only nine months and was sacked the following September. Now returns to assistant duties at Forest.
• Julio Figueroa (Assistant): Born in Argentina and worked as a sports psychologist with Barcelona’s youth academy. Was first hired by Espirito Santo at Valencia and also worked with him at Wolves,.
• Rui Barbosa (Goalkeeper Coach): Played in Portugal for Rio Ave and Nacional. Has been Espirito Santo’s Goalkeeping Coach throughout his managerial career, at Rio Ave, Porto, Wolves, Tottenham and Al-Ittihad.
• Antonio Dias (Fitness Coach): Another Portuguese coach, who has worked with Nuno at Porto, Rio Ave, Valencia, Wolves, Spurs and Al-Ittihad.

As TGG reported last week, First-Team Coaches Steven Reid and Andy Reid and Head of Analysis Steve Rands have remained on Forest's staff despite Cooper's sacking.

However, Scot Cathro will NOT be part of the new staff, having served alongside Espirito Santo for most of his career. The duo first met on a Scottish Football Association coaching course in 2009 and have worked in tandem at Rio Ave, Valencia, Wolves, Tottenham and Al-Ittihad.

READ MORE: Trio leave Nottingham Forest with Cooper