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The managerial position of Nuno Espirito Santo at Nottingham Forest has reportedly become uncertain after his relationship with club owner Evangelos Marinakis broke down behind the scenes. It was this past May when Marinakis seemingly confronted Espirito Santo on the City Ground after they drew their Premier League contest against Leicester City 2-2 due to an incident involving striker Taiwo Awoniyi, which had turned for the worse in due course.
It is understood that Evangelos Marinakis was frustrated about Taiwo Awoniyi being kept on the pitch despite getting injured in the 88th minute of the contest, and he had later undergone urgent surgery for an abdominal injury, getting put in an induced coma in the process. Since then, Nottingham Forest managed to qualify for UEFA Europa League under Nuno Espirito Santo, but despite that, his position at the club is not completely safe, as per the report from BBC Sport.
Nottingham Forest began their Premier League 2025-26 season in style with a statement win over Brentford by 3-1 at the City Ground last weekend. Ahead of the second Premier League match of the season away at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace on Sunday, August 24, Nuno Espirito Santo addressed his relationship with Evangelos Marinakis, stating that it has deteriorated over the course of the last few months.
Our relationship has changed and we are not as close: Nuno Espirito Santo on Nottingham Forest owner
The Portuguese was quoted as saying, “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.” He also revealed that togetherness among everybody at Nottingham Forest isn’t the “reality” anymore.
Moreover, the players at Nottingham Forest are also aware about the evolving situation between Espirito Santo and Marinakis.
