Nuno future at Forest in doubt

Nuno Espirito Santo's future as Nottingham Forest manager is uncertain after a breakdown in his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis.

Nuno Espirito Santo future at Nottingham Forest in doubt

Nuno Espirito Santo's future at Nottingham Forest remains unclear after reports that his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis has cooled. The club qualified for European competition last season and opened this season with a win over Brentford, but sources told BBC Sport that the manager's position is not fully safe. The squad is said to be aware of tensions and Nuno has acknowledged rumours by saying where there's smoke there is fire. He added that the dialogue with the owner has changed and that the team should be united even if the current reality says otherwise. Forest have spent heavily this summer by signing seven players and selling Anthony Elanga for 55m to Newcastle.

Some observers believe Nuno has not been fully involved in recruitment, which may have widened the gap with Marinakis. The club said there was no confrontation after a pitch moment in May when the owner appeared to confront Nuno; the incident was described as fake news by the club. Nuno joined Forest in December 2023 and guided them away from relegation and into seventh last season, earning a new three year contract in June. Forest travel to Crystal Palace on Sunday for their next league game.

Framing this as a pure on field issue misses how football clubs work as both sport and business. A manager needs a strong line of trust with ownership to implement a plan in a crowded transfer market. When that trust loosens, planning gets fragile and decisions can stall, even after last season success.

If the relationship stays tense, Forest faces a season of uncertainty that can ripple through morale and recruitment. A clear move by the owner or the manager could reset the club, but the path to stability lies in open dialogue and a shared vision. The next weeks will reveal whether the season will be a test of character or a setup for renewal.

Highlights

The season will test whether unity can outpace uncertainty.