James Murray

Wed 2 April 2025 17:24, UK

Evangelos Marinakis has been widely praised for his role in helping Nottingham Forest return to the big time. 

Marinakis purchased an 80 per cent stake in the club in 2017, while Sokratis Kominakis bought the remaining 20 per cent.

The Greek businessmen steadied the ship at the City Ground and started building for a brighter future, with promotion firmly on their minds.

Forest secured their long-awaited return to the Premier League in 2022 before cementing their place in the top flight.

Nuno Espirito Santo replaced Steve Cooper as manager in December 2023 and steered the club to safety following a challenging campaign.

Forest are now working on an “unbelievable” Nuno deal as they are desperate to tie him down to a long-term agreement, with his contract set to expire in June 2026. 

The Portuguese boss has propelled his side into Champions League contenders as they currently sit third in the Premier League table heading into the final few weeks of the campaign.

There are expected to be five Champions League spots on offer to top-flight clubs this season as England is comfortably clear in Uefa’s coefficient rankings. 

Evangelos Marinakis to approve big-money Nottingham Forest deals

Finance expert Stefan Borson told Football Insider Forest could land a stunning £75million payout if they were to qualify for the Champions League this season. 

Nuno’s side took a huge step towards qualification for the competition following their 1-0 victory over Manchester United on Tuesday (1 April), with the gap to sixth-place Newcastle United, who have two games in hand, now sitting at 10 points. 

Marinakis has never been one to shy away from getting his checkbook out at the City Ground and he will, almost certainly, sanction a summer signing spree to prepare the squad for European football next season. 

Forest signed 30 players in their first campaign back in the top flight three years ago as the Greek owner moved to ensure an immediate return to the Championship wouldn’t be on the cards. 

Although their heavy spending led to a profit and sustainability (PSR) breach for 2022-23, that boldness suggests Marinakis could go big again in the summer window in a bid to transform the club into regular Champions League contenders.

Matheus Cunha is believed to be Forest’s top target, with Wolves likely to insist on his £62.5million release clause being triggered for him to depart Molineux. 

Evangelos Marinakis preparing Nottingham Forest ownership change

Marinakis appears to be preparing for an ownership change at the City Ground after fellow co-owner Kominakis left his role as a Forest director last month.

Forest and Marinakis-owned outfit Olympiacos could both be competing in Europe next season, with Uefa’s rules prohibiting clubs from being controlled by the same owners or directors from competing in the same competition. 

Olympiacos currently sit 10 points clear at the top of the Greek Super League table, meaning both sides are on course to qualify for the Champions League this season.

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