Nuno Santo defends Forest owner after post-game altercation that seen the latter lash out on the Portuguese manager.
Nuno Santo defends Nottingham Forest owner over ‘scandalous’ confrontation.
After Nottingham Forest’s 2-2 draw with Leicester, Evangelos Marinakis angrily attacked his manager on the field, prompting Nuno Espírito Santo to try to defend him.
Former England defender and Sky TV analyst Gary Neville blasted Marinakis for his “scandalous” actions and said Nuno ought to be discussing his exit from the team. After the substitute, who entered the game in the 83rd minute, ran into a post while attempting to score five minutes later, the Forest manager acknowledged that the altercation was about Taiwo Awoniyi’s incapacity to finish the match with full mobility.
Nuno was shown seeking advice from his medical team, but the striker was not replaced. Although they did ensure they would participate in Europe next season because they cannot finish lower than seventh, Forest lost the opportunity to take fifth place in the Premier League and maintain control over their chances of qualifying for the Champions League.
Nuno said: “It was disappointing for everybody. Unfortunately, we had to play the last 10 minutes with one man less. Taiwo gave it a go but it was too painful for him to really push and help the team. There was a misunderstanding between the coaching staff and the medical department. We had the heads up to make a sub, then Taiwo tried but he could not [run fully].
“[We feel] disappointment and frustration of course. 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.”
Marinakis later backed up Nuno’s explanation in a statement. “Today is a day for celebration, because after 30 years Nottingham Forest is now guaranteed to be competing on the European stage once again – a promise I made to our supporters when we achieved promotion!” it read, before adding: “Everybody – coaching staff, players, supporters and including myself – we were frustrated around the injury of Taiwo and the medical staff’s misjudgment on Taiwo’s ability to continue the game. This is natural, this is a demonstration of the passion we feel for our club. Let’s all be grateful, passionate and keep on dreaming!”