The future of Nuno Espirito Santo as Nottingham Forest Manager is uncertain after a breakdown in his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis.
The position of Nuno is not completely safe, despite reaching last season's qualification for Europe, and their victory over Brentford in the first round of matches in the Premier League of this season on Sunday.
The uncertainty, according to sources, is now stretched to the play team, which is said to be aware of the situation.
On Friday, the 51-year-old Nuno said “where there is smoke, there is fire” amidst rumors about his work.
“I always had a very good relationship with the owner – last season we were very close and we spoke daily,” said Nuno.
“This season is not that good [between us]But I always believe that dialogue is important because my care is the team and the season we have for us. Our relationship has changed and we are not that close. “
When asked if it was good that his relationship with Marinakis had changed, Nuno said: “No, it's not good. I think everyone in the club should be together, but this is not the reality.”
Forest was active on the transfer market this summer and signed seven players – although they have sold wing player Anthony Elanga to Newcastle for £ 55 million.
But before last Sunday's 3-1 victory over Brentford, Nuno outlined his transfer problems.
“We have doubts, who is going to be there [here]When are they [new signings] Are you coming? All these things cause doubt, “he said.
“Not only me, but in the club. What we want is Game-per game that has as many options as possible. Europe will come afterwards, and it will certainly be better, but for now it's a great concern.
“The owner is aware of it, the club is aware of it, everyone is aware of it. Everyone knows the reality. This is a lost opportunity we as a group to do it.”
There have been suggestions that Nuno was not fully involved in the recruitment of the club this summer, which can be a factor in the deterioration of his relationship with Marinakis.
Further under pressure on rumors, his future was in question, Nuno told BBC Radio Nottingham: “Nothing was said to me. I'm just on [the rumours] Because we talk, and this is public – and when something is public, I think we should talk about it.
'What do I think about it? I am sorry. I think of the players, because today they were aware of things in the morning and I could see it in their faces.
“But I respond as I think I have to – as I always have in my life – by looking things and doing the best I can do until the very last moment.
“I appreciate the respect and feelings that the fans have for me. Now that we are in Europe, I think the city is alive. When I go out, I feel this love – and I just have to thank them.”
In May, Marinakis Nuno seemed to be confronted on the field after a 2-2 draw against Leicester on the city.
Forest later said that the incident was because of the owner's frustration that striker Taiwo Awoniyi had continued to play after an 88th minute injury, which then required what was described as “urgent” surgery.
The club said that there was “no confrontation” and it was “fake news” to suggest otherwise.
Nuno was appointed forest manager in December 2023 and successfully sent the club away from the relegation that campaign, despite a four -point deduction for violating profit and sustainability rules.
He then led Forest to the seventh in the Premier League last season – their highest finish since 1994-95 – because they qualified for Europe for the first time in three decades.
The former Wolves and Tottenham Boss signed a new three -year contract in June, with Marinaki's describing their relationship as “strong and solid”.
Forest was initially placed in the Conference League, but moved to the Europa League after Crystal Palace was relegated for violating the rules with several club ownership of UEFA.
Forest trip to Palace in the Premier League on Sunday.
Marinaki's back in the forest
Just like Palace, Forest also ran the risk of fulfilling the rules of the multi-club ownership of UEFA, because Marinakis also controls the Greek side Olympiakos.
In the Rulebook of the European administrative body, a club must prove that they are not “at the same time involved in any capacity in management, administration and/or sporting performance of more than one club participating in a UEFA club competition”.
The 58-year-old Marinakis avoided every potential punishment by diluting his control over the Premier League side, a step announced in April, when there was the possibility that both teams qualified for the Champions League.
In the end there were no sanctions to avoid and no case to answer forest, because they shot in their Champions League challenge and are therefore not in the same competition as Olympiakos.
In June, Marinakis effectively regained control and dissolved the blind trust he had set up to supervise club matters.
House files of companies show that the three appointed directors were appointed in Forest at the end of April, all have been terminated from the roles on 6 June.