Nuno Espirito Santo issues new response to Nottingham Forest departure claims

Nuno Espirito Santo’s position at Nottingham Forest looks uncertain after he spoke publicly about his poor relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis, but insists he has no plans to leave the City Ground

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo has hit back at “nonsense” claims he is trying to seal an exit from the club after publicly revealing his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis is “not good”.

Nuno made the surprising claims ahead of his side’s clash against Crystal Palace this weekend as he said “our relations have changed” and admitted “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” amid doubts over his job.

He said at his press conference: “I always had a very good relationship with the owner, last season was very close. This season, not so well. No, it’s not [good].

“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.

“I always believe that dialogue and what you say or your opinion, is always valid, because my concern is the squad and the season that we have ahead of us, but our relations have changed.”

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Now Nuno has responded to the suggestion that his explosive claims could be seen as a way of pushing for an exit.

“That’s nonsense,” he told Sky Sports ahead of the Palace clash. Doesn’t make any kind of sense.

“We are focused on the game and that is more important. Make sure that the players are ready. This game is going to be very tough.”

When asked if he still wanted to continue as manager of Forest, he added: “Of course! Of course. There is no speculation around anything. What we have to do is communicate and approach the final days of the market and prepare our boys.”

It comes after reports that Marinakis himself is “baffled” by Nuno’s claims about their relationship – though the club have no intention of sacking the manager.

The report adds there have been “fast-moving discussions” behind the scenes in the Forest hierarchy about the situation, but Marinakis is aiming to bring unity to the squad, with recognition they have the strongest squad they’ve had in years.

Nuno had previously complained about the poor quality of his playing group and a lack of new arrivals, but Forest have since brought in James McAtee from Manchester City plus Douglas Luis on loan from Juventus.

The club have also signed Omari Hutchinson, Dan Ndoye, Anraud Kalimeundo, Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha.

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