Nuno Espirito Santo and Evangelos Marinakis seem like the perfect team, so why is the Forest manager’s future in doubt?
An image that would immediately jump out to most Premier League viewers, whether Nottingham Forest fans or not, is the picture of Evangelos Marinakis remonstrating with Nuno Espirito Santo on the pitch.
Pundits called out the club’s Greek owner for crossing the line and criticising a manager on the field of play. But the explanation of that scene by Forest afterwards tells a more intriguing, even endearing, story.
Marinakis had been hugely upset with the poor medical attention provided to striker Taiwo Awoniyi, rather than anything relating to Nuno’s performance as a coach.
And in fact, a closer look at the clip shows Nuno not looking put out, as anyone being criticised in front of thousands might be, but instead trying to understand Marinakis’ perspective about the situation.
It was certainly interesting as well that the Greek billionaire came and immediately communicated directly with the manager about the situation, which substantiates what Nuno said this week about his “very good relationship” with the owner.
The 51-year-old Portuguese manager joined Forest in December 2023 and managed to keep the club up despite a four-point deduction for breaching profit and sustainability rules.
Last season he went much further than most people could have predicted, competing for the Champions League places for most of the season, before finishing in seventh place.
His side has opened the new season with a 3-1 win against Brentford and will compete in the Europa League after Crystal Palace were dropped into the Conference League.
Nuno’s rapid successes at Forest bear some similarity to, and in fact almost complement, Marinakis’ own energetic and combative approach to the pursuit of footballing success.
ALSO READ: Forest’s Reaction to Tottenham Interest in Gibbs-White Shows Extent of Club’s Ambition
It would seem then that the two are a match made in heaven. That’s why it is so surprising that Nuno admitted this week that his relationship with Marinakis has deteriorated, casting further doubt over his future at the club on the back of reports from the continent that he could be facing the sack.
Nuno said on Friday: “I always had a very good relationship with the owner, last season was very, very, very close. This season, not so well. No, it’s not close.”
When asked to say more on that, he replied: “I don’t know exactly, but I’m being honest with you. I cannot say that it is the same, because it’s not the same. The reason behind it, I don’t know.”
The most notable reason for it at present is the tension that has arisen at the club as they prepare for their first European campaign since 1996. Clearly frustrated by a delay in incomings this summer, Nuno took to the media before the game against Brentford last week and warned that his squad lacked the depth to handle both Premier League and European fixtures.
In response, Forest completed £100m worth of signings in a week, including Omari Hutchinson, James McAtee, Arnaud Kalimuendo and Douglas Luiz. However, rumours then emerged that Nuno’s job is under threat after his public outburst.
Whether that is the only reason is uncertain. Clubs are generally always displeased when a key figure makes a public reproach. But would that be enough to let go of Nuno after his successes, unless there are other considerations in play?
Nuno in fact stopped short of confirming that his job was under threat.
“Where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” said the Portuguese. “So I know how things work, but I’m here to do my job.”
On his previous outburst, he said: “I always believe that dialogue and what you say or your opinion, is always valid, because my concern is the squad and the season that we have ahead of us, but our relations have changed.”
“What it used to be was a good, respectful relationship, but was more based on trust and sharing opinions, and now it’s not so good.”
