Everton’s former manager Keith Wyness believes Evangelos Marinakis will expect Nottingham Forest to come closer to the mid-table next season.
Speaking on the latest episode of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old, who was CEO at Goodison Park from 2004 to 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs, insisted Nuno Espirito Santo’s future will be called into question if they face another relegation battle.
The Portuguese manager led Forest to safety last season after taking over from Steve Cooper in December.
Although they ended one place above the relegation zone, the club received a four-point punishment after being accused with expenditure violations.
Nottingham Forest’s manager is likely expecting a mid-table finish.
Wyness believes Marinakis will be hopeful Forest can climb the ladder and avoid relegation next season, having faced relegation in both of their previous campaigns in the Premier League.
He told Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast: “What I believe Marinakis will expect from Nuno is a season free of relegation anxieties.
“Establish themselves from 10th to 15th place, stay there all season, and have no fear of relegation.” That is what I am sure Marinakis has in mind for this year.
“They would then begin the busy cycle of attempting to establish themselves in the Premier League.
“That is what he wants as long as there are no more point deductions for them. They almost did it last season. That’s what he’d expect, at least.
“If they get lucky and finish 10th, that would be fantastic.
“Then I think Forest will feel like they’re getting the hang of it, and Marinakis will be pleased to see a more reliable asset.
“That is what I believe his objective is.
“If Nuno doesn’t achieve that and there is another relegation-battling season for whatever reason, then I think he’ll be thinking Marinakis is not shy of pushing the button.”
