Nuno Espirito Santo sacked: Tottenham part ways with manager

Saturday's 3-0 defeat at home to Manchester United the final straw for chairman Daniel Levy

Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo looks dejected following the 3-0 defeat to Manchester United on October 30, 2021. The Portuguese was sacked by the London club two days later. PA

Nuno oversaw a 2-1 win for Tottenham in their Premier League match against Aston Villa on October 3, 2021. Reuters

Tottenham Hotspur manager Nuno Espirito Santo waves to fans following the Europa Conference League play-off second leg against Pacos de Ferreira on August 26, 2021. Reuters

Tottenham Hotspur manager Nuno Espirito Santo during the pre-season friendly match at the JobServe Community Stadium, Colchester on 21 July, 2021. Reuters

Tottenham Hotspur manager Nuno Espirito Santo looks on during the 3-0 defeat to Manchester United on October 30, 2021. PA

Nuno Espirito Santo during a post-match interview following the defeat to Manchester United. AFP

Nuno Espirito Santo decision to replace Lucas Moura, left, with Steven Bergwijn during Saturday's match against Manchester United angered sections of the Spurs support. PA

Tottenham Hotspur manager Nuno Espirito Santo and Dele Alli. PA

Nuno Espirito Santo saw his Tottenham lose 1-0 to West Ham United on October 24, 2021 at the London Stadium. Getty

Tottenham Hotspur manager Nuno Espirito Santo speaks to Sergio Reguilon after he was substituted during the defeat to West Ham. Getty

Tottenham Hotspur parted ways with manager Nuno Espirito Santo and his coaching staff on Monday just 48 hours after the Portuguese oversaw an embarrassing 3-0 defeat at home to Manchester United.

"The club can today announce that Nuno Espirito Santo and his coaching staff Ian Cathro, Rui Barbosa and Antonio Dias have been relieved of their duties," Tottenham said in a statement.

Levy and managing director of football Fabio Paratici are understood to have met on Sunday to discuss the 47-year-old’s fate.

After a promising start that saw Spurs win their first three Premier League games by the same 1-0 scoreline, the North London club have been in freefall culminating in Saturday's loss to United.

Supporters made clear they had lost patience with Nuno, calling for him to go and booing the team off at the end of the match.

Former Wolves boss Nuno, 47, was only appointed on June 30 as Jose Mourinho’s successor after a farcical managerial search which saw Spurs go through a number of candidates.

His tenure, however, has been marred by dour performances in which Spurs have lost five of his 10 league games in charge. He oversaw 17 matches in total, winning eight, drawing two and losing seven.

Spurs v Man United ratings

TOTTENHAM RATINGS: Hugo Lloris 5 - A strong hand pushed a travelling effort from Fred out for a corner, but that was the only positive in a game where the France international could do little about any of the goals. AFP

Emerson Royal 7 - Looked to get forward to support the attack which saw the right-hand side of Spurs enjoy some success. The Brazilian was a standout performer in what was a poor team display. Getty

Cristian Romero 6 - Romero had the ball in the net and looked certain to score before Davies took the header on himself, directing it from the corner way over the bar. Reuters

Eric Dier 5 - The left side of Spurs’ defence was too messy, and that was picked up on by Cristiano Ronaldo who looked to exploit the lack of organisation. Marking Cavani and Ronaldo is never an easy task, but Dier didn’t do enough. AFP

Ben Davies 5 - Lost track of Ronaldo for United’s opening goal. Disappointing overall from the left-back who didn’t show why he should start ahead of Sergio Reguilon. AFP

Oliver Skipp 5 - Couldn’t get near the ball and struggled to impose himself. Gave away the ball in a dangerous area which led to United doubling their lead. Reuters

Pierre Hojbjerg 5 - The Denmark international is usually much more influential and a regular ball winner in the Spurs side but we didn’t see that. Reuters

Lucas Moura 7 - An intricate ball from a broken down free-kick presented Son with the best chance of the first half. It was a bright performance from Moura who stood out as one of the players who was desperate to win - this made his substitution questionable. Getty

Giovani Lo Celso 5 - The Spurs attacking midfielder wasted a great chance as he got the pass all wrong when Son Heung-min had a channel destined for the United box. Not the most creative display. Getty

Son Heung-min 6 - Son’s runs consistently upset the United defensive line, but the Spurs star had to do much better with the chance where he was played through by Lucas Moura. Getty

Harry Kane 5 - Lead the Tottenham press from the front but was kept quiet overall by United’s back three, drifting in and out of the game. Best opportunity came when he intercepted a back pass on the flank, but the final ball was easy to deal with. Getty

SUBS: Steven Bergwijn (Lucas 54) 6 - On for Lucas and looked to beat his man but Spurs struggled to get him on the ball once the score went to 2-0. Reuters

Tanguy Ndombele (Skipp 66) 6 - Introduced for Skipp after going two goals down but a tough ask for the French star. Bright on the ball and fought to try and get Spurs back into the match. Getty

Dele Alli (Lo Celso 72) N/R - Brought on for Lo Celso but was anonymous in a poor team performance. Reuters

MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea 6 - Had little to do in the first half. And the second. His goal was well protected by his five-man defence. Not a privilege he’s had this season. He deserved a break. Spoke well after the game. Getty

Aaron Wan-Bissaka 8 - Bright start in a defensive back five against a side who’d collectively scored fewer goals than Mo Salah so far this season. Got into advanced positions but unsure with his final balls. Sublime tackle on Son after 34. Reuters

Raphael Varane 8 - Back after injury and his presence improved the defence. Fast enough, strong enough and untroubled by a Spurs attack he helped look limp. Needs to get into the groove now, play every game and show why he’s one of the best defenders in the world. AP

Harry Maguire 7 Booked – for a tackle made by Varane after 22 minutes. Key nudge to win ball and end a Spurs attack on 51. Kept the other Harry, Kane, quiet. AP

Victor Lindelof 7 - Right of Varane, but sometimes came more forward out of defence because he’s so competent on the ball. Another one who needed a good game and had one. Worked on the formation for a few days and felt very happy with it. Reuters

Luke Shaw 7 - Lot of responsibility on him and hit a lovely ball over the top to Fernandes after 23. Much better than in recent weeks and energy levels remained high. Got forward, got back. Unrecognisable from last week. AP

Fred 8 - Best effort of the first half with a shot from distance after 32. Played well, though susceptible to running into trouble with the ball. Tenacious. Yellow card on 72 after a double tackle. He deserved that, but he still moaned about it. AP

Scott McTominay 9 - Aggressive and effective – and more confident with a extra player behind him. Drove forward with Fred effectively. Tackled heavily by Spurs’ players. He can handle it. Excellent. AFP

Bruno Fernandes 8 - Key position as the link between the midfield, Ronaldo and Cavani. Super run from deep to meet a Shaw pass after 23. Hooked a cross wide on 33, but then set Ronaldo up for the first with a fine ball. Defended, attacked. Best game for a while. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo 8 - On it from the start. Magnificent finish from a Bruno ball to put United ahead. Struck another rocket into the goal on 47 but it was offside. Played a key part in the second goal. Motivated his team midweek and delivered at the weekend. Getty

Edinson Cavani 8 - Headed wide after seven minutes. Worked hard as always, intelligent touches. Scored here last year and scored again this year with the coolest finish. Cult hero. But gave the ball away just before he was substituted. Left the field with his name being sung. AFP

SUBS: Marcus Rashford 7 - Came on for Ronaldo after 70. Jumped onto a Matic pass after 86 to finish United’s third with confidence. A fit and productive Rashford is a big addition to United. AP

Nemanja Matic 7 - On for Fernandes after 75. Bring balance and stability. Did just that and played a pass forward for fellow sub Rashford to score the third. AP

Jesse Lingard N/R - On for Cavani after 83. Little time to make an impact. EPA

Paratici said: "I know how much Nuno and his coaching staff wanted to succeed and I regret that we have had to take this decision.

“Nuno is a true gentleman and will always be welcome here. We should like to thank him and his coaching staff and wish them well for the future.”

A further coaching update will follow in due course, the club said.

Porto coach Sergio Conceicao and former Roma boss Paulo Fonseca are names being linked with the now vacant post at Tottenham.

Antonio Conte, who held talks with the club over the summer before being broken off due to the Italian's demands over a greater say in transfers, is also thought to be a target.

Tottenham face Vitesse Arnhem in the Europa Conference League on Thursday before a trip to Everton in the league on Sunday.