Evangelos Marinakis to walk away from Nottingham Forest? CEO source shares verdict
Nottingham Forest face Chelsea on Sunday (25 May) now knowing a win may not be good enough to secure Champions League football.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side need to beat the Blues and hope one of Aston Villa or Newcastle drop points against Man United or Everton respectively.
Forest had occupied a top-five spot for the majority of the 2024-25 campaign but have slipped down the table in recent weeks.
Evangelos Marinakis has already ceased control of Forest in anticipation of Champions League football – with Uefa rules preventing the Olympiakos owner from controlling two clubs in the same competition.
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 – has had his say on the Greek’s future at the City Ground.
Marinakis to pull quick U-turn at Nottingham Forest, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted Marinakis has “proven he is in it for the long run” and will quickly bring Nottingham Forest back under his control if they fail to secure Champions League qualification.
The Midlands club are guaranteed a place in the Uefa Conference League for next season, but can still qualify for the Champions League or Europa League.
Wyness insisted Marinakis will back Espirito Santo in the transfer market this summer.
| Position | Team | Played | Points | GD |
| 3 | Man City | 37 | 68 | 26 |
| 4 | Newcastle | 37 | 66 | 22 |
| 5 | Chelsea | 37 | 66 | 20 |
| 6 | Aston Villa | 37 | 66 | 9 |
| 7 | Nottingham Forest | 37 | 65 | 13 |
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “It’s all come down to the last game, with Chelsea vs Forest at the heart of it.
“Talk about six-pointers, it’s a classic. It could leave them in the top five, or outside.
“If they’re outside, the shares will quickly come out of the blind trust and back into Marinakis’ control.
“Plans will then be drawn up for next season with him at the heart of it.
“There’s no doubt the energy from him will be put into Forest in the transfer market with European football to offer.
“He’s proven he is in it for the long run. I admire him; the game needs characters, and I’m enjoying him being involved.
“The fans will be over the moon, even if they don’t qualify.”
Nottingham Forest identify potential Gibbs-White replacement
Meanwhile, Football Insider has revealed (9 May) that Harvey Elliott has emerged as a target for Nottingham Forest if they lose Morgan Gibbs-White.
Arne Slot will make a decision about the 22-year-old’s future at Liverpool ahead of the summer transfer window.
A number of Premier League clubs including Wolves, Bournemouth and Newcastle are also believed to be keeping a close eye on his situation.
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