Ciaran Morrison

Thu 12 March 2026 8:30, UK

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Edu could have been the right person to lead Nottingham Forest forward had Evangelos Marinakis shown more patience.

That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, amid increasing uncertainty over Edu’s position as global head of football at the club.

Edu has been told to stay away from the club’s training ground, with the former Arsenal sporting director coming under scrutiny as Nottingham Forest battle for Premier League survival.

Nottingham Forest’s transfer business under Edu has been partly blamed for their poor form in the league this season, with Vitor Pereira’s side only above the drop zone on goal difference.

Evangelos Marinakis ‘wants quick results’ at Nottingham Forest

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Nottingham Forest fans are still behind Marinakis as owner.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness is not surprised that Edu is set to leave the City Ground.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I guess it’s no surprise. Edu was always very laid back, and it just was never going to work, I suppose in that sense. I thought it might do.

“I think Edu must have known what he was walking into. Marinakis must have wanted some stability, and again he’s just, you know, making decisions as he sees that he wants quick results. Difficult place to work isn’t it Nottingham Forest at the moment no matter who you are. Whether you’re a manager, a sporting director or any role at all in the club. 

“He’s certainly passionate, the fans are still with Marinakis, they still believe he wants the best for the club, and he’s shown it, and he’s investing heavily. So it’s hard to knock him on those points of view, but as I’ve said, stability for me in football is a key factor for success and I think Edu would have been the right one to have taken them further.

“But it just wasn’t to be at Nottingham Forest. There was the other interest that Marinakis had got, and it does seem that Edu is not delivering for the whole football group as such and has had a falling out.

“And I’m afraid there’s only one winner at Nottingham Forest when there’s a falling out and that’s the case. So on we go with the next story and see who comes in next for the grilling with Mr. Marinakis. It’s a fascinating play that goes on there.” 

Premier League club joins Murillo transfer race

Sources have told Football Insider that Nottingham Forest defender Murillo is a target for Liverpool in the summer transfer window.

Chelsea have also been credited with interest in Murillo, who could be free to leave the City Ground if the club are relegated from the Premier League.

Pereira has nine games to save Nottingham Forest from relegation to the Championship or a mass exodus of players could be on the cards.