Evangelos Marinakis breaks silence on Nuno 'rift' with duo set for crunch talks

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has claimed he has a strong relationship with Nuno Espirito Santo, despite speculation around the coach's position at the City Ground. Nuno guided Forest to European qualification last season but has seen some uncertainty around his position.

The Tricky Trees boss cast doubt over his own future earlier this month by saying there was 'no smoke without fire' amid reports he could be sacked. Former Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou was even linked with the job in the Midlands.

Nuno only signed a new three-year contract in June, but revealed his relationship with Marinakis had faltered. Previously they enjoyed almost daily contact but that has not been the case this term.

Crunch talks await over the international break but, following the Europa League draw, Marinakis appears to put his weight behind Nuno to continue a successful spell with the club.

The 57-year-old, who also owns Olympiacos, said: "Yes [Nuno can lead Forest forward], he has been successful and we have done things we have enjoyed. Now we can afford to do things that we enjoy.

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"Everything is solid. We all want Nottingham to succeed. We are here in the good days but we are even closer in the difficult days, so personally I don't see a problem.

"We are all together, united, and we'll make some corrective actions and everything will be smooth and ready to go.

"We have a solid relationship. Of course, sometimes we can be nervous, say one thing, say another, but what counts at the end of the day is the real relationship between me and Nuno, between Nuno and the players and between the players and ourselves."

Speaking in his press conference, Nuno suggested the pending talks were vital. “We have to talk,” Nuno said.

“These kinds of things should be done at the right moment, and the right moment is after the game. Now we are focused on West Ham, then we have the international break and I think that is the right moment.

"Things are OK. We are working very hard to compete, this is what is really important."

Asked if he worried about his position at Forest, Nuno addeed: "I’m totally relaxed in that sense. We need to have a talk about the future of the club, how we should address after the transfer market and all these things – what is the commitment to the club. Me and the president want the same thing. We want the best for Forest, that’s for sure."

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