Nuno Espirito Santo has dismissed rumors of a potential exit from Nottingham Forest, labeling them as “nonsense.” The denial follows reports of a strained relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis and concerns over the club’s recruitment strategy since the appointment of Edu Gaspar. Nuno affirmed his commitment to the club and plans to meet with Marinakis and Edu to address the issues, aiming to resolve the speculation surrounding his future and ensure the club’s stability.
Nuno Espirito Santo has vehemently refuted claims suggesting he is seeking to leave his position as manager of Nottingham Forest, branding the reports as utter "nonsense." The denial comes amidst speculation regarding his future at the club, fueled by comments made about his relationship with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis and concerns over the club's recruitment strategy.
On Friday, the atmosphere surrounding Nottingham Forest was thick with uncertainty after Nuno's remarks about a perceived deterioration in his relationship with Marinakis. These comments, delivered during a press conference preceding the crucial match against Crystal Palace, followed reports indicating that Marinakis was contemplating Nuno's dismissal. The timing of the speculation, just one game into the new season, added further fuel to the fire.
Last season, Nuno guided Nottingham Forest to an impressive seventh-place finish in the Premier League, a feat that earned them a spot in the Europa League due to Crystal Palace's disqualification from the competition. However, recent reports suggest that Nuno is increasingly frustrated with the changes to Forest's recruitment process since Marinakis appointed former Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar as the club's global head of football in July.
Despite significant investment in the transfer market, with the arrivals of Omari Hutchinson, Dan Ndoye, Arnaud Kalimuendo, James McAtee, Igor Jesus, Jair Cunha, and Douglas Luiz, Nuno's concerns appear to stem from a shift in the club's approach to player acquisitions. When questioned about whether his comments were a deliberate attempt to force an exit ahead of Sunday's game at Selhurst Park, Nuno was unequivocal in his denial.
"That's nonsense," Nuno told Sky Sports. "It does not make any kind of sense. We have to focus on the game and make sure the players are ready."
Selhurst Park. pic.twitter.com/YAaZSNFJl8
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) August 24, 2025
Nuno further affirmed his commitment to the club, stating, "Of course. I never had any doubts."
Addressing the speculation surrounding his future, Nuno revealed his intention to meet with both Marinakis and Edu in order to address the underlying issues. These issues have reportedly led to speculation linking Ange Postecoglou and Jose Mourinho with the Nottingham Forest managerial position.
"That's what we need to do, and we will do it," Nuno said. "We will do it soon."
The meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for Nuno to voice his concerns regarding the club's recruitment strategy and to seek clarity on his role within the organization. The outcome of the meeting could have significant implications for the future of Nottingham Forest, both on and off the pitch. The fans will be hoping that all parties can resolve their differences quickly and amicably, to ensure the club remains stable and competitive.
Nottingham Forest have invested heavily in the squad in the recent transfer windows to give themselves the best possible chance of competing in the Premier League and in Europe. Any disruption to the backroom staff and management could set the club back. With this in mind, it is imperative that Marinakis, Nuno and Edu resolve their issues sooner rather than later and begin working in the same direction, with the same shared goals.
The situation is further complicated by the high expectations placed on the club following their impressive performance last season. Nottingham Forest need to continue that progress, so there is pressure on the manager and the recruitment staff to make the right decisions.
The upcoming meeting promises to be a crucial moment in determining the future direction of Nottingham Forest and Nuno Espirito Santo's role within it.