Nuno Espirito Santo was proud of Nottingham Forest, despite a 1-0 defeat in the last day against Chelsea who denied them the Champions League qualification and explains: “We will go again.”
Forest entered the LEI of the Premier League matches on Sunday that need a victory – as well as a defeat for one of Manchester City, Newcastle United of Aston Villa – to get the top five.
Although Newcastle and Villa respectively lost to Everton and Manchester United, Forest could not benefit as Levi Colwill's 50th minute tap-in Sealed Champions League football for Chelsea.
While the blues of Enzo Maresca finished fourth, Forest will play in the Conference League next season after ending the campaign in the seventh.
It is their highest top finish since they finished third in 1994-95, while they have European football to look forward to first since Frank Clark led them to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup in 1995-96.
Although Bos produced a tame version on the city grounds, where only two shots were managed on target, because Chris Wood missed a few presentable opportunities, Nuno was cheerful.
“After a competition like this and the things that happened on the field, we did not reach the dream,” he told BBC Match of the day.
“Our first half was really good, we created many problems and had opportunities, but it wasn't enough.
“The fear in the last few minutes didn't help us. You knew that one goal could change everything.”
Chelsea is accompanied in the Champions League by Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Europa League Victors Tottenham and Newcastle – who scraped in the top five thanks to the loss of Villa at Old Trafford.
Many expected Bos to end up in a different relegation struggle after ending after the 17th in 2023-24, but Nuno is hopeful that this season is not a one-off.
“We are proud, and we will go again,” said the former Wolves and Spurs Boss.
“The improvement of the players is huge, the club's platform is good. If you ask me, it's a good season because of the dedication of the players.”
Nuno's long-term future in the city area was questioned when forest owner Evangelos Marinakis confronted him on the field two weeks ago after a 2-2 draw with Leicester City, after an incident that Taiwo Awoniyi ran a serious abdominal injury.
But Nuno would not be attracted to suggestions he could leave when he was questioned by Sky Sports, saying: “This is not the time to talk about me, or even to think about me.
“It's the time for the club to think about the idea for next season.”