‘He leaves beloved by Forest fans’ – analysispublished at 07:42 British Summer Time
Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesIn just under two years Nuno Espírito Santo guided Nottingham Forest from a relegation battle back into Europe for the first time in 30 years.
He leaves beloved by the Forest fans but after a clear breakdown in relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis.
He created a siege mentality which served Forest well and, despite both being big characters, it appeared a perfect match between him and Marinakis.
Last season’s shock European challenge ended in missing out on the Champions League on the final day, a finish which may now have been crucial to Nuno’s future.
Forest still finished seventh and reached the Europa League – being promoted to the competition after Crystal Palace’s demotion – but for Nuno they did not prepare quick enough this summer.
Successive swipes in press conferences about the club’s slow movement in the transfer market included the revelation his relationship with Marinakis had changed.
It was a shock given how guarded the Portuguese usually is.
