AliousEvangelos Marinakis has earned widespread acclaim for his transformative influence in guiding Nottingham Forest back to prominence in English football. In 2017, Marinakis acquired an 80 percent ownership stake in the club, with Sokratis Kominakis securing the remaining 20 percent.
Together, these Greek entrepreneurs brought stability to the City Ground, laying the groundwork for an ambitious ascent, with their sights firmly set on a return to the Premier League.
That dream materialized in 2022 when Forest clinched promotion, ending their long exile from the top tier. After solidifying their status in the elite division, the club faced a turbulent 2023-24 season, prompting a managerial change.
Nuno Espirito Santo took the reins from Steve Cooper in December 2023, navigating the team through choppy waters to ensure their Premier League survival.
Now, with Nuno’s contract due to expire in June 2026, Forest are reportedly crafting an “extraordinary” long-term deal to secure his future, a testament to his remarkable impact.
Under his leadership, the team has surged to third in the Premier League standings as the season nears its climax, positioning them as genuine contenders for a Champions League berth.
This season, England’s strong performance in UEFA’s coefficient rankings is expected to yield five Champions League slots for Premier League clubs, bolstering Forest’s prospects. Finance expert Stefan Borson, speaking to Football Insider, estimated that qualification could net the club a staggering £75 million windfall.
A pivotal 1-0 triumph over Manchester United on April 1, 2025, further solidified their position, extending their cushion over sixth-placed Newcastle United—who have two games in hand—to 10 points. Marinakis, known for his willingness to invest heavily, is poised to greenlight significant summer transfers to equip the squad for the rigors of European competition.
This approach echoes his bold strategy during Forest’s first season back in the Premier League in 2022-23, when he oversaw the signing of 30 players to stave off relegation.
While that aggressive spending triggered a breach of Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), it underscores his readiness to splash the cash again, potentially elevating Forest into a consistent Champions League force.
Among the rumored targets, Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers tops the list, with Wolves likely to demand his £62.5 million release clause be met.
Meanwhile, Marinakis seems to be laying the groundwork for a structural shift at the club. Last month, co-owner Kominakis stepped down as a director, a move possibly tied to UEFA regulations, which bar clubs under the same ownership or directorship from competing in the same European tournament.
With Olympiacos, another Marinakis-owned team, leading the Greek Super League by 10 points and on track for Champions League qualification, these adjustments may be preemptive steps to ensure compliance should both clubs secure spots in Europe’s premier competition.
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