Nottingham Forest Owner and Manager to Discuss Future Following Loss
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis received a warm reception from supporters as he flashed a thumbs up at the City Ground prior to Sunday’s unexpected 3-0 defeat against West Ham.
The Greek businessman made a brief appearance pitchside before the match and is now expected to address any potential tensions with manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
There is significant respect for Marinakis among the fans, who appreciate his investment in returning Forest to European competition. This was evident, as supporters showed no signs of taking sides between the owner and the manager, even amidst Nuno's frustrations.
Nuno is scheduled to meet with Marinakis during the international break to discuss the club's future. This follows Nuno's recent criticisms regarding the club's slow transfer activities and his acknowledgment that their relationship has evolved this summer.
“It’s not the best day to speak,” Nuno remarked after the loss. “We need to address what is happening. My focus now is on the team, which performed shockingly.”
“This defeat is disheartening for everyone involved. However, we need to separate our discussions and move forward in the right direction.”
Nuno's candid remarks over the past two weeks have surprised many, but he stands by his honesty, voicing concerns after a summer filled with challenges.
The season began positively for Forest with a commanding win against Brentford and a draw at Crystal Palace, but the unexpected loss to West Ham has raised questions.
Marinakis arrived in the UK on Friday after attending the Europa League draw, where Forest will kick off their first European campaign in 30 years against Real Betis on September 25. He was present in his usual seat at the match.
Nuno played a pivotal role in Forest's return to European football, guiding the team to a seventh-place finish in the Premier League last season, narrowly missing out on the Champions League on the final day.
Together, Marinakis and Nuno have made significant strides in restoring Forest's status, a task that has eluded many since their relegation from the Premier League in 1999.
Progress has been evident since Nuno's appointment in December 2023, and a constructive resolution is essential for all parties involved.
Nuno's primary concern has been the club's inability to finalize the squad quickly enough, emphasizing the importance of pre-season preparations.
Despite spending around £150 million on new players—including record signing Omari Hutchinson from Ipswich, James McAtee from Manchester City, and Douglas Luiz on loan from Juventus—the club still seeks to add another goalkeeper and a left-back before Monday's transfer deadline.
Nuno should ultimately achieve his goals, albeit later than anticipated. He will need to adapt, having previously favored smaller squads. With Forest competing in Europe alongside domestic league and cup commitments, maintaining a small squad would be impractical.
Before the transfer deadline at 19:00 BST on Monday, there will be player departures, as Nuno wants to ensure that all squad members are motivated and engaged. “We need to make these decisions. The club is working on it, and there’s still one day left to finalize our squad,” he stated.
When asked if he is satisfied with the current squad, Nuno replied, “Let's see how it looks when it’s complete. We have good options, but a complete squad will allow for a better assessment.”
In a stark contrast to his earlier frustration before matches with Brentford and Crystal Palace, Nuno appeared more at ease during his pre-match press conference on Friday. He expressed confidence about remaining in his role after the international break, when Forest will face Arsenal. However, sources from BBC Sport have indicated uncertainty surrounding his position, suggesting a possible breakdown in relations with global sporting director Edu.
Edu, who joined the club in July, was reportedly unaware of Nuno's discontent, although Nuno's responses about Edu were noticeably curt during the press conference.
Marinakis remains optimistic about resolving any issues. Speaking to TNT while in Monaco for the Europa League draw, he stated, “Everything is solid. We all want Nottingham to succeed. We are united in both good times and challenging moments, so I don’t foresee any problems.”
He added, “We have a strong relationship. While we may experience moments of tension, what truly matters is the underlying relationship between myself, Nuno, the players, and the club.”
Nuno's standing among fans is unlikely to be diminished by a single defeat, even though the City Ground was nearly empty by the final whistle against West Ham. The loss was unexpected, and Forest's performance was lackluster, with goalkeeper Matz Sels preventing an even greater margin of defeat.
Only Dan Ndoye, a £34 million signing from Bologna, started among the summer recruits, while substitutes Igor Jesus, Hutchinson, McAtee, and Arnaud Kalimuendo failed to make a significant impact. This further reinforces Nuno's argument for the need for additional reinforcements and depth in the squad, as the new signings have yet to demonstrate their value.
Nuno believes that these players require time to adjust, integrate into the team, and grasp the club's philosophy—a crucial period that he feels was lost earlier in the summer. As the transfer window closes on Monday, discussions between Nuno and Marinakis will be essential to find a resolution.