‘Espirito Santo to make Nottingham Forest exit decision after Marinakis clash’
Nuno Espirito Santo and Evangelos Marinakis appeared to clash on the pitch following Nottingham Forest’s 2-2 draw with Leicester on Sunday (11 May).
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville slammed the Forest owner’s decision to enter the field of play and claimed Espirito Santo should negotiate an exit from the club in the aftermath of the incident.
Forest have since explained that Marinakis’ anger came due to a mix-up from the medical team which resulted in Taiwo Awoniyi continuing to play after he collided with the post in an effort to score late on.
Awoniyi has since been in hospital and undergone emergency surgery as a result of the injury and is expected to make a full recovery after being placed in an induced coma.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has had his say on Espirito Santo‘s stance on the incident.
Espirito Santo won’t make rash Nottingham Forest decision, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted the Portuguese boss is not likely to take issue with Marinakis’ frustration, claiming the pair are “pretty tight” after Forest’s success this season.
The draw with Leicester leaves them seventh in the table but they have secured European football for the 2025-26 campaign.
Wyness insisted Marinakis’ frustration was “understandable in many ways”.
| Position | Team | Played | Points | GD |
| 3 | Newcastle United | 36 | 66 | 23 |
| 4 | Manchester City | 36 | 65 | 24 |
| 5 | Chelsea | 36 | 63 | 19 |
| 6 | Aston Villa | 36 | 63 | 7 |
| 7 | Nottingham Forest | 36 | 62 | 12 |
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “It was obviously a rush of blood to the head.
“I don’t think he had an issue with Nuno.
“It was more of an issue with the medical staff, with Awoniyi going for emergency surgery.
“I think it was frustration throughout the club, and Nuno would’ve been just as frustrated. We all know what’s at stake.
“This is the high-stakes end of football. Marinakis always wears his heart on his sleeve, and it was understandable in many ways.
“I personally don’t think it should’ve been done on the pitch.
“I don’t think it was aimed at Nuno, asking him how could he have drawn that game. It was more frustration about the last 10 minutes and having only 10 men.
“I can’t see any issue with Nuno – I think they are very solid. He wasn’t having a go at him for any tactical decision or anything like that.
“I think they are pretty tight. He will be more than happy with where Nuno has taken the club this season.”
Gibbs-White ‘flattered by Man City interest’
Meanwhile, Football Insider has revealed (10 May) that Nottingham Forest may be powerless to stop Morgan Gibbs-White’s “flattering” move to Man City this summer.
Football Insider sources have said the chance to play under Pep Guardiola appeals to Gibbs-White.
Forest will place a hefty price tag on Gibbs-White’s head in an attempt to deter interest and force City to look elsewhere in their pursuit of Kevin De Bruyne’s replacement.
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