‘Neville and Carragher slammed over Nuno exit from Nottingham Forest’
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher’s claims have massively backfired after Nuno Espirito Santo was told to hand in his resignation at Nottingham Forest.
The Reds’ frustrating form of just one win in six Premier League matches continued with a shock 2-2 draw with Leicester City at the City Ground on Sunday, 12 May.
Goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood were sandwiched by efforts from Conor Coady and Facundo Buonanotte, a result which saw Espirito Santo’s side secure European football for next season.
However, the draw also meant the Reds had dropped out of the top-six spots, with Champions League qualification far less likely, and this seemingly triggered Evangelos Marinakis to storm onto Forest’s pitch.
After remonstrating with his manager on the pitch at full-time over the treatment of the injured Taiwo Awoniyi, Neville and Carragher were quick to react, becoming very angry on behalf of Espirito Santo.
Taking to social media, the former suggested that the manager should “negotiate his exit” following the scenes at the City Ground, with Simon Jordan now firing back at the duo on live radio.
Simon Jordan tears into Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher
Speaking live on talkSPORT (12 May, 10:15am), Jordan said: “Was it [Marinakis’ behaviour] necessary? Probably not. Was it a poor piece of professionalism from the medical staff? Yeah. Should he have dealt with them offline? Yeah.
“Is it necessary for Gary Neville to make those sorts of observations? It feels to me that he and Carragher are just making observations now to get attention.
“It’s a ridiculous conversation that Nuno Espirito Santo, who was brought back from the Middle East by a motivated owner who might have stepped over the line in the eyes of the football world, should be resigning.
“It’s just silly from a leading pundit, not adult conversation worth commenting on.”
Champions League football still on the cards for Nottingham Forest
Football Insider verdict
There was very little said about Man City’s slip-up against Southampton, apart from Ruben Dias’ post-match explosive interview, but it just proves that anything can happen in the closing matches.
With matches remaining versus West Ham and Chelsea, there is still a chance for the Reds to turn things around and qualify for the Championship, with just a one-point difference in the table.
Welcoming the Blues to the City Ground on the last day of the season will likely make or break Forest’s entire league campaign, but supporters must believe in the team in the dark moments, too.
| Premier League standings | Points |
| 3. Newcastle United | 66 |
| 4. Man City | 65 |
| 5. Chelsea | 63 |
| 6. Aston Villa | 63 |
| 7. Nottingham Forest | 62 |
Mick Brown told Football Insider in March that Forest are “doing everything” to agree a new deal with Espirito Santo, and given his achievements this season, it is absolutely deserved.
Until the final whistle goes on Sunday, 25 May, the Reds’ hopes of playing in the Champions League next season are not over, and even if they are, the manager will be going nowhere ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.