Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo‘s future has been thrown into fresh doubt after he admitted his relationship with Evangelos Marinakis was ‘not so good’ – remarks that have reportedly left the club’s billionaire owner stunned.
There is now said to be a genuine possibility that Nuno will not be in the dugout for Sunday’s clash with Crystal Palace, with growing speculation over whether he can survive the fallout.
Former Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou is among those being linked should Forest look for an alternative.
Club chiefs had made no move to sack him before this week’s comments, but his words have caused some within Forest to question his commitment and even fear he is attempting to engineer his own exit, according to Sky Sports.
It comes only a week after the Portuguese coach complained his squad was ‘unbalanced’ and ‘very, very far’ from being ready for the new campaign.
In response, Marinakis has sanctioned more than £118million on reinforcements in the space of seven days, including moves for Omari Hutchinson, Arnaud Kalimuendo and Douglas Luiz.
Nuno Espirito Santo may not be in charge of Nottingham Forest at Crystal Palace on Sunday
Ex-Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou is said to be a contender to replace Nuno should he leave
That level of spending was meant to underline the owner’s full backing, but Nuno’s mood appears unmoved.
Behind the scenes, his frustrations are thought to centre on the arrival of Edu, Forest’s new global head of football, who was brought in last month to oversee recruitment across Marinakis’ multi-club portfolio, which also includes Olympiakos in Greece and Rio Ave in Portugal.
Despite Edu’s appointment, Forest insist Nuno’s role has not changed since he took charge in December 2023, stressing that while the coach has influence on targets, his primary responsibility remains coaching and organising the first team.
Forest fans will recall tensions between manager and owner first came to light last spring when Marinakis stormed onto the pitch after a 2-2 draw with Leicester to berate his coach.
That uneasy dynamic now appears to have resurfaced, with the club once again engulfed in speculation over Nuno’s position.
More to follow.
Evangelos Marinakis and Nuno clashed in public last season and appear to be at odds again
