Evangelos Marinakis, the owner of Nottingham Forest, has his decision to confront manager Nuno Espirito Santo after the 2-2 draw on Sunday with Leicester City on the field and described his frustrations as “natural”.
Forest suffered late against the foxes already moved and is now fighting for a tough fight for the Champions League. The draw made sure that they will play European football in the next season, but Nuno’s team is now occupying in the Premier League rating with two games that were still to be played.
During the disappointment about the performance of the team, Marinakis left the stands and entered the place after the final whistle for an unpleasant exchange with Nuno – a step that has raised considerable criticism from fans on social media.
Marinakis tried to defend his actions, and suggested that striker Taiwo Awoniyi, who came as a late replacement, took on an injury to strikers, but soon a problem that effectively converted him into a passenger for the rest of the game was behind his frustrated decision.
“Today is a day to celebrate, because after 30 years of Nottingham Forest has guaranteed to compete again on the European stage – a promise that I made our supporters when we reached promotion!” Said Marinakis.
“With two other games in the Premier League, we have to believe and continue to dream, directly on the last kick in the last game. We are extremely proud and close to Nuno and the team, and we all have to celebrate the historical achievements of this season.
“Every – coaching team, players, supporters and me – we were frustrated with the violation of Taiwo and the misjudgment of the medical staff in relation to Taiwo’s ability to continue the game.
“Of course, this is a demonstration of passion that we feel for our club. Let’s all be grateful, passionate and dream!”
Instead of replacing Awoniyi in the dying embers, Forest made a different change when Jota Silva came to Elliot Anderson in the 91st minute, although the striker could hardly walk after a collision with the post.
“It was disappointing for everyone. Unfortunately we had to play with a man for the last ten minutes. [Awoniyi] I tried, but it was too painful for him to really press and help the team, “said Nuno.
“There was a misunderstanding between the coaching team and the medical department. We had our heads to make a U boat, then tried it, but he couldn’t.”
At Marinaki’s’ reaction, Nuno added: “[There was] Disappointment and frustration, of course. But it is up to the owner and his passion that we grow as a club. He pushes us. He wants us to get better. It is his passion and desire to be a big club – 30,000 people felt the same way today. In any case, many of them would go to the pitch and shake off.
“We as a club we owe a lot to the Marinakis family. I have been a player and as a coach in football for so many years. It is passion and desire. The players feel it, we feel it and the fans feel. We have to do better. Today it was our obligation to do better.”