Nottingham Forest Manager Nuno Espirito Santo Admits Strained Owner Relationship Amid European Debut

Nottingham Forest is facing internal tensions as manager Nuno Espirito Santo publicly revealed a strained relationship with club owner Evangelos Marinakis ahead of a crucial Premier League match against Crystal Palace. Despite a strong transfer window that included the additions of Omari Hutchinson, James McAtee, Arnaud Kalimuendo, and Douglas Luiz, Nuno expressed concerns about trust and communication with Marinakis, highlighting that their once close relationship has deteriorated. Nuno acknowledged the challenges but emphasized his commitment to the squad and the upcoming season, while also noting the need for further reinforcements in goalkeeping and full-back positions. The conflict comes at a pivotal time as Forest prepares to compete in Europe for the first time since the mid-1990s, adding pressure to maintain focus amid off-field distractions. Additionally, a new rivalry with Crystal Palace has emerged due to UEFA's multi-club ownership regulations, which saw Forest take Palace’s Europa League spot, further intensifying the stakes for their upcoming match. Nuno has sought to distance Forest from negative narratives surrounding this UEFA issue, showing empathy for Palace's situation while urging fair treatment of his own club.