Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has said he is “proud” of Nuno Espirito Santo even though he took to the pitch to confront the manager after his side's poor performance in Champions League qualifying.
Marinakis delivered an emotional rebuke to Nuno after Facundo Buonanotte's 81st-minute goal secured a 2-2 draw for Leicester in the Premier League at the City Ground, dealing a huge blow to Forest's top-five hopes.
It was a tough time and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville said the Portuguese should “negotiate his exit tonight”.
However, both Marinakis and Nuno claim that the Greek team owner's frustration was caused by a miscommunication between the bench and medical staff following the injury to striker Taiwo Awoniyi late in the match.
Although Champions League qualification is no longer up to them, they have at least secured a place in European football for the first time since 1996, as they will have to qualify for the Europa Conference League at the very least.
Marinakis said in his address: “Today we celebrate because after 30 years Nottingham Forest will be back on the European stage, just as I promised our fans when we achieved promotion!
“There are still two games left in the Premier League and we must continue to believe and dream until the last kick in the final match.
“We are incredibly proud of Nuno and the team and we are close to them and we should all celebrate the historic achievements of this season.
“Everyone – coaches, players, fans and myself included – were upset by Taiwo's injury and the medical staff's misjudgment of his ability to continue playing.
“It’s natural, it’s a manifestation of the passion we have for our club.
“Let's be grateful, enthusiastic and keep dreaming!”
Nuno smiled at Neville's suggestions that he leave the team and stressed that Marinakis' passion is what is helping Forest to fight for a place in the Champions League.
He said: “It's because of the owner and his passion that we are growing as a club. He inspires us. He wants us to be better,” he said of Marinakis, who served a five-match stadium ban earlier this season.
“It's his passion and his desire to be a great club – 30,000 people felt the same today. Of course, many of them would have come out on the pitch and supported us.
“We as a club owe a lot to the Marinakis family.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
