NafisaNuno Espirito Santo asserted Gary Neville “knows what it is like” as he distanced himself from the notion that he should resign as Nottingham Forest manager. Nuno was approached by the club’s owner Evangelos Marinakis after a late Leicester City goal dented their Champions League ambitions.
Forest were aiming to stay in command of their own fate when they faced the Foxes at the City Ground. With 10 minutes left, Nuno’s team were ahead, but a leveller from Facundo Buonanotte has left the Nottingham side in seventh place.
For much of the campaign Forest have occupied the Champions League positions, but they now risk missing out in the closing stages of the season. Nuno has worked wonders with his squad once tipped for relegation, but he had to endure a rebuke from owner Marinakis following the final whistle.
The Forest chief has never hesitated to put himself in the spotlight but Neville was shocked by his behaviour and encouraged the former Wolves and Tottenham coach to walk away from the position.
He wrote on social media: “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.”
When asked about Neville’s remarks 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. All the rest, please allow me… I do not want to proceed about (talks of) the future.”
Nuno was given the responsibility of keeping Forest in the Premier League when he took charge midway through last season and has exceeded all expectations this term with his achievements. Since early December his team have held a Champions League spot – only slipping out in recent times.
The Greek tycoon has attempted to justify his conduct in a post-match statement as he said: “We were frustrated around the injury of Taiwo [Awoniyi] and the medical staff’s misjudgement on Taiwo’s ability to continue the game. This is natural, this is a demonstration of the passion we feel for our club.”
Forest’s next challenge is a visit to West Ham before they welcome Chelsea on the final day of the Premier League campaign. That clash could prove to be a decisive showdown with the Blues currently in fifth, one point and two spots ahead of Nuno’s team.
Nafisa
