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Nuno admits he’s ‘not close’ with Forest owner Marinakis and their ‘relationship has changed’

Nuno Espirito Santo admits he’s ‘not close’ with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis and their ‘relationship has changed’.

Nottingham Post report that club sources have dismissed rumours of sacking head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, following a claim by Italian reporter Matteo Moretto on Twitter that Nuno is at risk of dismissal.

This comes after Nuno voiced squad concerns, but the club has since added eight summer signings, including Douglas Luiz, and Nuno signed a new three-year contract until 2028.

Moretto said: “Nottingham Forest is considering sacking Nuno Espírito Santo. Tensions between the ownership and the Portuguese coach, also stemming from certain signings during this transfer window.

“This is what Nuno told Sky Sports a week ago: ‘We are very far off in terms of the squad. The plans we had didn’t work out. The preparation in terms of the squad was not ideal. We don’t know what squad we have. We have players working here who know they are going out on loan. We have a big problem.’ The English club is already evaluating other coaches.”

Owner Evangelos Marinakis said at the time of the new contract: “Nuno has made a great impact and performed very well during his time with us so far. He has demonstrated that he maximises player performance and is an expert at developing players, whilst also embedding our young talent into the first team set-up.

“We enjoy a strong and solid relationship together and, above all, we share the same dream and ambition of writing a new history for Nottingham Forest, competing in the Premier League and in Europe and winning trophies for our great club!”

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo on his relationship with Evangelos Marinakis: “I always had a very good relationship with the owner, last season we were very close and spoke on a daily basis.

“This season it is not so well [between us] but I always believe that dialogue is important because my concern is the squad and the season we have ahead of us. Our relationship has changed and we are not as close.”

When asked if it was good his relationship with Evangelos Marinakis had changed, Nuno replied: “No, it is not good. I think everybody at the club should be together but this not the reality.”

Nuno on why his relationship with the owner has changed: “I don’t know exactly but I’m being honest with you, it is not the same. The reason behind it I do not know. What I said last week or two weeks ago was my concern and why I was worried about where we were going [as a club].”

On Marinakis: “What I said, I said it with respect. The reality is that the relationship is not what is use to be. It was a respectful relationship based on trust and sharing opinions but now it is not so good.”

On whether this situation is inevitable in football: “My job is clear and I think at Forest we are all clear that my job is to manage the team and prepare the team well.

“At the club there are different opinions, I’m someone that says my opinions and then I do my job.”

On whether the relationship can continue: “I hope so but I don’t know, that I cannot answer. On my side I am doing whatever I can to help Forest, my commitment is something [that I see] and I feel it.”

In Nuno’s pre-match news conference last week, he said on how he was feeling: “The same, concerned. Especially about the game on Sunday, we are going to play a tough game against a good team and we are short on options to give solutions that the game might need, which is our major concern. We need players.

“I think we weed another option for the goalkeeper situation, on the defensive line full backs. I think we are OK in the centre halves.

“Dominguez is injured, Danilo is not here so we need midfielders, on the wings also. In front we have Igor [Jesus], Chris [Wood] and [Taiwo Awoniyi] but maybe another body would be good because of the amount of games.”

Here’s how fans reacted as Nuno admits he’s ‘not close’ with Forest owner Marinakis and their ‘relationship has changed’…

@seanreid86: Can we just have a few relatively normal days as a football club. No transfer rumours. No drama. Nothing. Just train and play. Is that too much to ask? #NFFC

@NunoBalll: I wonder if there are player concerns regarding Nuno’s playing style? Is it all transfer related and the lack of activity until recently. Was it the interview? Are Forest wanting to upgrade? So many questions. You reds. #nffc

@antbrianlord: WTF are we doing?!?!?! Just get on with it! #NFFC

@lardlikesdogs: I must admit I never thought we could move on from Cooper and wasn’t that fussed about Nuno, Now it’s happening again. The fans do build up a relationship with the manager some more than others .. it will be another sad day when Nuno goes, a real blow. 😞 #NFFC #forest

@hotspurreports: Even Nuno knows he’s a twat.

@CapitalR: I just want a normal, boring week at Forest for once 😂🥲 Doesnt sound like “I’m going to be sacked vibes” to me. All managers are under pressure anyway. He probably is just annoyed that EM hasn’t be in touch as much, for transfers and such; but as is the structure at the club, transfers are overseen by other staff. #NFFC

@Jcov1998: If Nuno is unhappy with the signings this summer then that shows weakness that he can’t manage a bigger & more competitive squad. Not exactly a good look for the 4 that have just come through the door either.. #NFFC

@AlexNFFC: Worrying comments from Nuno. I’m not quite sure what the thought process is behind it is, unless he knows something we don’t and the decision to replace him has already been made? #NFFC

@_SamMarriott: All kinds of hell are gonna break loose if Nuno walks. What a way to dampen the best transfer window we’ve ever had 🫠

@Mbuckland15: I did not prepare for my trip to Selhurst Park to end in a Nuno wave goodbye so let’s not let it get to that please yeah lads? #NFFC

@Matt_lowe10: don’t take a genius to work out things went sour after he stormed the pitch last season. couple a bad results away from a ticking time bomb I reckon.

@Gibbo8: Gone from feeling like we are going to smash it last night to feeling like we’re a step away from capitulating today. Nice one Forest

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