Marinakis Insists Relationship With Nuno ‘Solid’ Amid Speculation

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis insists his relationship with head coach Nuno Espirito Santo remains intact, despite recent speculation over the Portuguese manager’s future, Sport360NG reports.

Nuno, 51, admitted last week that his rapport with Marinakis had shifted and even suggested that “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” when asked about rumours surrounding his position. He had also criticised Forest’s transfer dealings before the season began, comments that added to the sense of friction at the City Ground.

The two men have spoken by phone in recent days and are expected to meet in person after Sunday’s Premier League clash with West Ham. Marinakis, who has been in Monaco for the Europa League draw, which paired Forest with Porto and Malmo, is due to fly to London on Friday.

Asked directly whether Nuno is still the right man to lead Forest, Marinakis told TNT Sports:
“Yes. He has been successful and we’ve enjoyed the journey so far. Everything is solid. We all want Nottingham to succeed, and in difficult times we are even closer. I don’t see a problem.”

He added: “We’re united. Of course, sometimes emotions run high and things are said, but what matters is the genuine relationship between myself, Nuno and the players.”

Nuno, who guided Forest to a seventh-place finish last season and a return to European competition for the first time in three decades, has dismissed suggestions he might resign.
“It is absurd. Never,” said the former Wolves and Tottenham boss after Forest’s 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace last weekend. “It’s nonsense that I would try to engineer my own exit.”

Appointed in December 2023, Nuno remains confident he will be in charge beyond the international break.
“I believe so,” he said. “We need to sit down and talk about the future of the club and the level of commitment we share. For now, the focus is on West Ham, then during the break we’ll have those conversations.”

Forest have already spent close to £150m this summer, including a club-record £37.5m deal for Ipswich winger Omari Hutchinson, and are still looking to strengthen at full-back. Leicester’s Victor Kristiansen is among the targets.

Despite his pointed remarks about the club’s transfer activity earlier this month, Nuno stands by his comments.
“I said it and I don’t regret it, because I was being honest,” he explained. “Mr Marinakis knows me well enough to understand that. I’ve always been open with him, and now we can see the club making a real effort to complete the squad.”