Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has maintained his side still needs more reinforcements due to the situation regarding Super Eagles star, Socccernet.ng reports.
The former Tottenham Hotspur coach revealed that he’s no longer on good terms with the club owner, Evangelos Marinakis, due to the differences in demands between them.
“I always had a good relationship with the owner. Last season, it was very close, [we spoke] almost on a daily basis,” the 51-year-old said in his pre-match interview ahead of Forest’s game against Crystal Palace as per Sky Sports.
“This season, not so well, but I always believe we can dialogue, and what we say is always valid because my concern is the squad and the season that we have ahead of us, but our relationship has changed.”
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Following Forest’s 1-1 clash against Crystal Palace on Sunday, Nuno refuted claims that his place as the gaffer at the City Ground was under threat.
“Absolute nonsense. Absurd. This narrative, it’s absurd,” the ex-Porto goalkeeper said in quotes revealed by TeamTALK.
“If I’m at the club when the transfer window slams shut, I cannot answer that question, but what I know is that I am working and trying to do my job the best I can.
“Of course, the situation has to be solved, and we are responsible people. We can have a good conversation to create a good platform for what is more important, the team.
“We’re going to have it. We must. We need to have this conversation, and we will have it. This is what I think is more important than anything.”
Forest want more players
While Nuno remains in charge for now, he insists the club needs more players as there’s no replacement for Super Eagles star, Ola Aina.
The versatile defender can feature as a right-back and a left-back. His calf injury last season made his importance evident as Forest were unable to secure a win without him.
“First of all, let’s try to complete our squad. This is really important in the final days of this transfer market, and we still have the chance to win,” the ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers coach continued.
“I would say we need three players – one goalkeeper more, and two full-backs, because you cannot live with the fear and uncertainty if something happens to Ola (Aina) and Neco (Williams).”
“After these situations, what is important is Forest, not individual persons. We must have that conversation, and we will have it.”
Nottingham Forest have already signed Igor Jesus, Arnaud Kalimuendo, Omari Hutchinson, Dan Ndoye, James McAtee and Jair Cunha this summer.