Nuno Espirito Santo says the source of Evangelos Marinakis’ post-match frustration was a miscommunication that effectively saw Nottingham Forest finish their game against Leicester City playing with ten men.
The Forest owner could be seen having an animated conversation with the head coach on the edge of the pitch immediately following a frustrating 2-2 draw that put a dent in the club’s hopes of securing Champions League qualification. A frustrated mood at the final whistle was underlined when Marinakis appeared to rant at Nuno as he made his way off the pitch.
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Forest began their preparations for the potential return to European football when, at the end of last month, Marinakis officially took a step back from his involvement with the club.
The shipping magnate, who is also the owner of Greek club Olympiacos, placed his shares in the Premier League team into a blind trust to ensure compliance with the multi-club ownership regulations of UEFA, which runs Europe’s three continental club competitions. Forest say that those regulations do not preclude Marinakis from attending games at the City Ground.
What do you think Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis said to Nuno Espirito Santo after the club’s draw against Leicester? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Et4GoRBkTx
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 11, 2025
But Nuno told the media in his post-game news conference that Marinakis was frustrated over a “miscommunication” which saw Forest use their last available substitute, bringing on Jota Silva for Elliot Anderson in the 91st minute, at a time when Taiwo Awoniyi had just received extensive treatment after colliding with a post.
“It was disappointing for everybody. Unfortunately, we had to play the last 10 minutes with one man less. T (Awoniyi) gave it a go but it was too painful for him to really push and help the team,” said Nuno.
“There was a misunderstanding between the coaching staff and the medical department. We had the heads up to make a sub, then T tried but he could not.”
Awoniyi was able to remain on the pitch, but his injury limited his impact.
“(There was) disappointment and frustration, of course,” Nuno added. “But it is because of the owner and his passion that we are growing as a club. He pushes us. He wants us to be better. It is his passion and desire to be a big club — 30,000 people felt the same today. For sure, many of them would go on the pitch and shake us down.
“Us as a club, we owe a lot to the Marinakis family. I have been in football (for) so many years as a player and as a coach. It is the passion and desire. The players feel it, we feel it and the fans feel it. We have to do better. Today, it was our obligation to do better.”
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, without perhaps knowing the context of their conversation, suggested on X that Nuno should have been ready to walk away from the City Ground, posting: “Scandalous from that Forest owner. Nuno should go and negotiate his exit tonight with him! The Forest fans, players and manager do not deserve that.”
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When asked about Neville’s comments, Nuno said: “I am not going to comment too much. I have huge respect for Gary Neville, he is the coach who replaced me when I was sacked at Valencia. So he was a coach himself.
“He knows what it is like to be on the touchline. We are too disappointed today. I have a dressing room, with young boys who, through this season, made a big effort. We are tired. We are battered. You can see the end of the game … this is what I will take home today. How can I find better solutions for the players? How can I help them?”
Forest failed to hang on to a 2-1 lead given to them when Chris Wood scored his 20th goal of the season in the 56th minute, with Leicester’s Facundo Buonanotte scoring in the 81st minute to deny their East Midlands rivals all three points. A point was still enough to secure European football for Forest, who can now finish no lower than seventh in the Premier League table. It is a remarkable achievement for a team that has fought two consecutive battles against relegation.
But their hopes of a top-five finish were dented by the result, with Forest now sitting in seventh place, one point behind Chelsea and Aston Villa — who are fifth and sixth respectively — and three points behind fourth-placed Manchester City.
Forest head to West Ham United next Sunday, before facing Champions League rivals Chelsea on the final day, at home.
(Photo: Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)
