Nuno Espirito Santo insisted that he does not hold a grudge against Tottenham after his rocky spell as the club’s manager.
The Portuguese spent four months as Spurs head coach in 2021, and was sacked after starting the season with a run of eight wins in 17 matches. He was replaced by Antonio Conte, who led the club back to a fourth-place finish.
Four years down the line, though, Nuno led Nottingham Forest to a 1-2 victory at Hotspur Stadium thanks to goals from Elliot Anderson and Chris Wood. The win saw Forest move third in the Premier League table, 23 points ahead of the Lilywhites, also confirming their league double over the North London club.
Nuno, though, said the win was not an act of vengeance.
Asked whether he was pleased to have proved Spurs wrong, he said: “I am not that kind of person.”
He said he was grateful for the opportunity to manage Tottenham despite the difficulties of his tenure: “I was honoured to be managing Tottenham. A huge, big club.
“I wish them the best.”
He admitted Forest were lucky to come away with the win on Monday, though, as Spurs were the better side for much of the match.
“Tottenham put us against the ropes, so it is about defending and holding on to the result.
“Credit to Tottenham. They created so many chances against us, and we were fortunate to get away with the result.”
But he is relishing the dogfight that is the European qualification race, not to mention a looming FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City.
“We have a big desire to compete and the players enjoy. We are in the mix against big teams and that can only make us proud.
“We embrace the challenge. As long as we keep this approach, competing well, you never know.”
