A leading journalist has claimed West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has had a direct hand in Evangelos Marinakis’ monumental head loss at Nottingham Forest.
There is suddenly a bright light at the end of the Premier League relegation tunnel for West Ham with Nottingham Forest threatening to implode.
The Hammers were gutted when they conceded a 96th minute equaliser against Man United on Tuesday night.
That made it 20 points dropped from winning positions, three of which were against Nottingham Forest when West Ham surrendered a 1-0 lead to the Tricky Trees to lose 2-1 at the start of January.
Many believed Forest were all but assured of safety and West Ham were doomed to the Championship after that game.
Forest crisis gives West Ham real survival hope
Since then, though, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have taken 10 points from 15.
And Forest’s inability to beat Wolves on Wednesday night means West Ham are just three points behind Nuno’s old side with 12 games to go in the battle to survive.
Things are about to get VERY tough! 😟
How many points can you see us picking up here?
West Ham United's Portuguese head coach Nuno Espírito Santo reacts during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Manchester United at the London Stadium in east London on February 10, 2026.
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While other teams are now being dragged into the mix by West Ham’s fine form, there is a delicious irony that Nuno’s current team could dump his former club into the second tier after being controversially sacked by Evangelos Marinakis.
Nuno can exact the ultimate revenge on Marinakis with West Ham with the very real possibility that the two clubs switch positions after the next Premier League game week in which the Hammers face Bournemouth while Forest take on Liverpool.
Sean Dyche checks his watch but time is up for him at Nottingham Forest
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
West Ham’s great escape is on after Sean Dyche was sacked by terrified Forest in the wake of the 0-0 draw with Wolves.
Now it has emerged that West Ham boss Nuno had a direct hand in Marinakis’ latest Nottingham Forest head loss.
Fiery Greek Marinakis has done a lot for Forest.
But there have also been occasions when he hasn’t covered himself in glory with his decision-making and actions.
Appointing Edu and sacking Nuno after a fall-out over recruitment – despite the fact the Portuguese almost led Forest to Champions League football – being one such example.
Journalist: Nuno and West Ham behind Marinakis’ Forest head loss
West Ham will be delighted that Forest failed to convert any of their 35 attempts at goal against Wolves.
What happened off the pitch afterwards was also intrinsically linked to Nuno and the Hammers too, though.
What would you say if Paco Jemez took Nuno’s job?
He's certainly made a big impact…
Paco Jemez the manager of Rayo Vallecano reacts during the La Liga match between RC Celta de Vigo and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid at Abanca Balaidos Stadium on May 18, 2019 in Vigo, Spain.
There were dramatic scenes at the City Ground when Marinakis called a number of senior players to his box immediately after the game.
While not unusual behaviour from Forest’s owner, it was a clear sign Sean Dyche was in trouble.
Nottingham Forest chief Evangelos Marinakis has strong words for Nuno Espirito Santo on the pitch
Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images
And so it proved as the club announced Dyche’s sacking close to 1am.
There have been a multitude of claims made this morning that Dyche had lost the dressing room, over-worked players in training and put certain noses out of joint.
But Telegraph journalist John Percy has revealed the real reason behind Marinakis’ latest drastic action is the ‘nightmare scenario’ the Greek is dreading about Nuno and West Ham.
Forest are now searching for their fourth manager of the season after sacking Dyche.
And Percy claims Forest’s recent slump coupled with the resurgence of West Ham under their former manager Nuno ramped up the tension to breaking point.
Marinakis has nightmares over Nuno’s West Ham revival
It has been revealed Marinakis is having sleepless nights over the nightmare scenario that Forest could now be relegated by Nuno with West Ham.
Percy states it is a specific scenario Marinakis ‘desperately wants to avoid’ and prompted his decision to axe Dyche.
The journalist says there is a growing feeling that September 9, when Nuno was sacked, will be the defining moment of the season for Forest and West Ham.
And it is not lost on the boardroom or fans at Forest that Nuno predicted these struggles when he ultimately fell out with Marinakis.
Now West Ham have to hope Forest do not benefit from a new manager bounce while maintaining their own good form for what promises to be an unforgettable and tense finish to the season.
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