Nuno Espirito Santo slams 'absurd narrative' amid Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers' Nottingham Forest links

Nuno Espirito Santo slams 'absurd narrative' amid Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers' Nottingham Forest links

The Portuguese faces an uncertain future after a public fallout with controversial owner Evangelos Marinakis

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo (Image: Getty Images)

Nuno Espirito Santo has lashed out at the "absurd narrative" surrounding his Nottingham Forest future - with Brendan Rodgers reportedly a top target to replace him.

‌

The 51-year-old's future at the City Ground looks bleak after publicly admitting that his relationship with controversial owner Evangelos Marinakis had soured.

‌

Nuno led Forest to European qualification last season but there are cracks behind the scenes, with the Portuguese frustrated at the club's summer transfer business.

‌

Reports over the weekend suggested that Marinakis was ready to launch a move for Celtic boss Rodgers - with ex-Hoops gaffer Ange Postecoglou also admired.

But Nuno has come out swinging and insisted there's no chance that he'll walk away from his job.

He said: "This narrative is absurd. I wouldn't ever walk away. I don't know how many years I have of coaching, and many of you guys have known me for many years.

‌

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers (Image: Getty Images)

"Now I came to Wolves and the Championship. I love what I do. The moment that I don't enjoy it, it's over.

“This is the first time in my career I am facing this situation and being asked these things.

‌

"It is not helpful, but I believe conflict doesn’t work out. We have to create harmony and we need it.”

Asked if he's confident he'll remain in charge, Nuno said: “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. We are responsible people and we are going to have a good conversation to try to create, more than anything, a good platform for what is most important - the team.”

‌

While Rodgers is highly-regarded by Forest, the Irishman reiterated last week that there's NO chance he'll quit Parkhead before the end of his three-year deal.

Rodgers is out of contract next summer and has been hindered in the transfer market this summer, with the Hoops failing to find replacements for Kyogo and Nicolas Kuhn before the £40million Champions League playoffs.

He hasn't ruled out extending his stay if the board matches his ambition, but revealed earlier this month that he's yet to be offered a new deal.

Article continues below

Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.

Click here to read article