Nuno Espirito Santo confirms crunch Marinakis and Edu talks as next Forest boss 'picked'

Nuno Espirito Santo has confirmed that he will hold crunch talks with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis and Global Head of Football Edu about his future at the club. Marinakis has reportedly targeted Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers as Nuno's replacement, with the Portuguese head coach admitting that there is "no smoke without fire" regarding speculation about his job.

Santo declared that his relationship with Marinakis has "changed" and on Friday added to fears at the City Ground that he may be sacked early into the campaign. The 51-year-old conceded that reports of his potential dismissal broke "because something's going on" but did take charge of his side's trip to Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Speaking to Sky Sports minutes before the match, he described the idea that he was trying to engineer a move away from the club as "nonsense" before insisting that a meeting is necessary between himself, Marinakis and Edu.

"That's what we need to do and we are going to do it," Nuno said regarding the possibility of sitting down with the higher-ups. "For sure today, not, because it is the match. But soon, of course. There is no speculation around anything, we have to communicate how we are going to approach the final days of the market, how we are going to approach the season and prepare our boys."

When asked about reports that he was trying to force his way out of the club, Nuno hit back: "That's nonsense. That doesn't make any kind of sense. We are focused on the game, that is more important, we have to make sure that the players are ready to play. This game is going to very tough."

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He also insisted that he wanted to remain in charge of the club he led to European football last season, adding: "Of course, of course."

Earlier this week, Nuno claimed that his relationship with Marinakis had changed following the arrival of Edu from Arsenal.

"I always had a very good relationship with the owner - last season we were very close and spoke on a daily basis," he explained.

"This season it is not so well [between us], but I always believe that dialogue is important because my concern is the squad and the season we have ahead of us. Our relationship has changed and we are not as close."

Only a few hours earlier, reports had emerged that claimed Forest were considering sacking Nuno.

And according to The Sun, former Liverpool and Leicester boss Rodgers is Marinakis' top target to take over. The Greek businessman has been courting Rodgers for several months and is prepared to make his move next week.

Their hopes would be bolstered if Celtic exit the Champions League during qualifying, having drawn 0-0 at home to Kazakh side Kairat. The second leg takes place on Tuesday.