Friday’s reports of problems between Evangelos Marinakis and Nuno Espírito Santo shocked fans and it no doubt came as a surprise for the players too.
It was an unneeded distraction ahead of Sunday’s game against Crystal Palace, but nonetheless, it was one that presented itself.
While Marinakis and Nuno have fallen out, preparations for Forest’s next game still had to go ahead. At points on Friday, it wasn’t clear if Nuno would be in charge for the fixture, however, it now looks like he will.
The manager has now revealed how the players reacted to the reports of him potentially being sacked from Nottingham Forest.
Nuno Espírito Santo says players were aware of reports in the morning
Nuno Espírito Santo has admitted that the Nottingham Forest players were aware of the reports he could be sacked on Friday morning, saying he could ‘see in their faces.’
Speaking on the Nottingham Forest: Shut Up and Show More Football podcast, Nuno said, “They also were aware of things in the morning and I can see in their faces, but I reacted as I think I should and as I always did in my life facing things and trying to do the best thing that I can to the last moment.”
While it does seem that all parties want Nuno to stay, with Marinakis hoping to unify the fractured relationships at Forest, the manager did hint that should he leave, he’ll be happy with what he has achieved.
He says on the same podcast, “No matter where I went and was working, if something happens and the day that I leave, I look back: are the players better than when I arrived, and honestly I think this is the case, we have players playing beautiful football.”
The idea of Nuno leaving is one that Forest fans will not want to think about, and should he be sacked, one of the leading candidates for the role is interested in taking over.
Nuno Espírito Santo discusses the potential distraction against Crystal Palace
The news on Friday was certainly not ideal as Nottingham Forest prepared for their second game of the season.
There is a real risk of the players being distracted, and the manager is well aware of it, replying “Of course,” when asked if this could be the case.
However, Nuno also knows it is part of his role to minimise or completely negate the effects of this noise, and make sure his players are ready for the game.
Ahead of the match he stated, “This is our job to isolate them from all the noises coming around. They have to stick to their tasks and for sure this is going to happen on Sunday.”
“This is what we have to do because no matter what is said, on Sunday 2 pm the ball will be rolled, and there’ll be two teams with good players, playing for the game.”
Sunday’s game will have added fire due to the recent court cases surrounding Crystal Palace, and Gary Lineker has predicted the Eagles to win. Nuno’s side will be hoping to prove the pundit wrong.
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