Nuno Espirito Santo attempted to support Evangelos Marinakis after the Nottingham Forest owner confronted his manager on the pitch following a 2-2 draw against Leicester.
Gary Neville, a former England defender and Sky Sports commentator, criticized Marinakis for what he deemed “scandalous” behavior, suggesting that Nuno should consider leaving the club. The Forest manager had expressed concern over Taiwo Awoniyi’s inability to continue playing after being substituted in the 83rd minute, which became evident shortly after.
Nuno appeared to consult his medical staff but decided not to replace the striker. Nottingham Forest missed a chance to secure a strong position for Champions League qualification, remaining in fifth place, yet assured that they would not drop below seventh for the upcoming season.
Nuno remarked, “It was a shame for everyone. Unfortunately, we had to play the last 10 minutes with one player down. Taiwo tried, but it was too painful for him to push through and support the team.”
He expressed feelings of disappointment and frustration but acknowledged the owner’s passion for the club’s growth. “It’s because of him that we are progressing. He wants us to improve; he has a strong desire to elevate us as a significant club,” Nuno noted, reflecting on the feelings of the more than 30,000 fans present.
Marinakis later backed Nuno’s comments in a statement, celebrating the club’s return to European competition after 30 years. “We promised our supporters we would achieve this,” he stated. He also shared frustration regarding Taiwo’s injury and the medical team’s management of the situation, calling it a natural reaction rooted in the passion they feel for the club.
Neville previously mentioned, “If I were Nuno, I would definitely have a serious talk with him—it’s an absolute scandal. The team has just qualified for Europe, and to witness that on the pitch in front of the fans is completely unacceptable.”
This season, Marinakis faced scrutiny after an incident involving a ban for five games due to behavior directed at match officials. However, Forest’s legal team confirmed there would be no further actions taken regarding such conduct. The club’s ownership, including Olympiakos, placed their shares into a Blind Trust last month to ensure compliance with UEFA regulations against conflicts of interest.
