'Nottingham Forest prepare for Champions League football' with new move

02/19/2025 11:19 AM

Nottingham Forest have made a shock push for Champions League qualification this term despite only narrowly avoiding relegation last season.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side sit third in the Premier League and are on course to return to Europe’s elite club competition for the first time since the 1980-81 campaign.

Nottingham Forest's fortunes have drastically turned around since Evangelos Marinakis and Sokratis Kominakis took over the club in 2017.

Marinakis owns an 80 per cent stake at the City Ground, while Kominakis's shares are worth 20 per cent.

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 lifted the lid on a new twist at Forest.

Wyness suggests real reason for Kominakis leaving Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest co-owner Kominakis has stepped down from his role as a director.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness suggested Forest may be preparing to comply with Uefa rules ahead of potential Champions League participation.

The governing body's rules prohibit clubs from being controlled by the same owners or directors while competing in the same competition.

Wyness insisted a conflict between the Forest co-owners is unlikely while the club is enjoying such success.

He told Football Insider's Insider Track podcast: "I wasn't sure initially, I thought there may have been a conflict.

"But it doesn't appear that way, and I haven't been able to speak to any sources about this just yet.

"It could be as simple as with Forest looking like they will qualify for the Champions League alongside Olympiacos – they may have to split the ownership under the rules.

"There could be a strategy there to plead there is no joint control. That could be the innocent and clever explanation here.

"I tend to think that is the case.

"Why would they fall out when things are going so well? I think that's the root of the issue."

Nottingham Forest to sell stars before accepting Murillo offer

Nottingham Forest’s success hasn’t gone unnoticed by top Premier League clubs, who are eyeing their top-performing stars ahead of the summer window.

But Football Insider revealed earlier this month (11 February) that Forest will sell other stars before parting with defender Murillo.

Chelsea interest in Murillo will not go away after Forest rejected a club-record figure from the Blues for the 22-year-old in January.

Nottingham Forest fans responded with glee when the centre-back's new contract was announced officially by the club last month.

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