Evangelos Marinakis 'picks next Nottingham Forest boss' to replace Nuno Espirito Santo

Evangelos Marinakis has reportedly named his top target to replace Nuno Espirito Santo amid concerns that the Nottingham Forest head coach could leave the club. The Portuguese boss admitted that his relationship with the Forest owner has "changed" and added fuel to the fire that he could be dismissed leading up to the second game of the Premier League season.

Forest travel to Crystal Palace on Sunday but the trip to Selhurst Park may yet be Santo's last in charge of the club he led to European football last season. The 51-year-old has publicly lamented their transfer policy and admitted there is "no smoke without fire" regarding suggestions he could be sacked.

"I always had a very good relationship with the owner - last season we were very close and spoke on a daily basis," Nuno said earlier this week.

"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."

The Sun claim that Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has been sought out as Marinakis' number one target to replace Nuno.

The former Leicester and Liverpool head coach is hugely admired by the Greek businessman and he has been courting Rodgers for several months behind the scenes.

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Rodgers is into the final year of his contract at Celtic Park and any compensation figure is not thought to be an issue, with Forest expected to make their move next week.

Their position could be strengthened if Celtic fail to reach the Champions League League Phase. They have a qualifier in Kazakhstan against Kairat on Tuesday after drawing 0-0 at home in the first leg.

Ex-Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has also been linked with the Forest job, but he is considered more likely to return to Celtic and replace Rodgers if he heads to the City Ground. Jose Mourinho has also been mentioned, but is thought to be very expensive to prise away from Fenerbahce.

Nuno admitted that reports of his possible axe have arrived "because something's going on", but insisted that his sole focus was preparing his squad for their upcoming match against Palace.

"We had a fantastic season, so I understand fans will be worried," Nuno shared. "When these things come out in the media, it's because something's going on.

"But the players know everything on social media, it's now my job to focus them for the game. When the ball starts rolling, everything else finishes."