Nuno Espirito Santo has shrouded his Nottingham Forest future in uncertainty with some worrying comments about the club’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis. The 51-year-old’s position has become the subject of speculation ahead of the second weekend of the Premier League season.
On Friday morning, reporter Matteo Moretto claimed that Forest were already assessing potential replacements due to a strained relationship between Espirito Santo and the ownership. The Forest manager had publicly raised complaints about the club’s summer transfer business before a recent raft of signings.
Shortly after the report, Forest dismissed suggestions of a rift between Espirito Santo and his higher-ups.
However, the Portuguese coach has poured fuel on the fire by remarkably claiming that his relationship with Marinakis had worsened since last season.
He said: “Look, I have always had a very good relationship with the owner. Last season, we were very, very, very close, almost [talking] on a daily basis.
“This season, not so well. But I always believe that dialogue and what you say or your opinions are always valid because my concern is the squad and the season that we have ahead of us.
“But our relationship has changed. It’s not so close. It’s not on a daily basis. It’s not good. I think everybody at the club should be together but it’s not the reality.”
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When asked what had prompted their relationship to change, Espirito Santo added: “I don’t know exactly.
“But I’m being honest with you, I cannot say that is the same, because it’s not the same. The reason behind it, I don’t know.
“What I said last week or two weeks ago was my concern, and why I was worried? Because my job is always to try to anticipate what’s coming ahead of us, and that’s what I said, what I said with respect.
“But the reality is that [the relationship] is not what it used to be, what it used to be, what it used to be was a good, disrespectful relationship, but was more based on trust and sharing opinions, and now it’s not so good.”
Espirito Santo went one step further by incredibly playing up to the reports claiming he is about to be sacked by Forest.
“Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, so I know how things work,” he continued.
“But I’m here to do my job. I understand, because I’m worried. I’m the first one to be worried. I’m the first one to be concerned.”
Forest were impressive in their opening game of the Premier League season, beating Brentford 3-1. They travel to Crystal Palace on Sunday.