Evangelos Marinakis banishes key Nottingham Forest star from training ground and stadium

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has sent shockwaves through the club by banishing a key figure from the training ground and City Ground stadium. In a furious confrontation, the no-nonsense Greek magnate reportedly told the star to “call your agent,” underscoring his strict stance with a blunt message:”Rules are rules.

Marinakis, known for his uncompromising leadership since taking over in 2017, shows he’s not playing around when standards slip. With Forest battling in the Premier League, this bold move highlights his demand for discipline and results above all else.

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has once again demonstrated his uncompromising approach to club management by barring a key figure from the club’s facilities, creating fresh turmoil just as head coach Vitor Pereira attempts to stabilize the team amid a precarious Premier League campaign.

In the latest development, Marinakis has instructed Edu Gaspar, the club’s Global Head of Football, to stay away from both the City Ground stadium and the Wilford Lane training ground. This decision, reported widely in recent days, effectively sidelines the former Arsenal sporting director who joined Forest less than a year ago as part of Marinakis’s multi-club network that includes Olympiacos and others.

Edu’s role was intended to oversee recruitment, squad strategy, performance, and player development across the group, but tensions appear to have escalated rapidly.

The ban follows a period of intense scrutiny on Forest’s operations. After a massive spending spree in recent windows, the club has faced criticism over recruitment decisions and managerial instability. Sean Dyche’s brief tenure ended in dismissal after just months in charge, paving the way for Pereira’s arrival.

Edu’s absence has been noticeable, including during recent matches such as the 2-2 draw against Manchester City, where he missed his third consecutive game. Reports suggest his exile is part of negotiations toward a permanent exit, possibly back to Brazil amid links to clubs like Flamengo.

This move underscores Marinakis’s hands-on, no-nonsense style. The Greek shipping magnate, who has owned Forest since 2017, has not shied away from decisive interventions. His history includes previous sanctions, such as a five-match stadium ban from the FA for misconduct related to an incident after a defeat to Fulham. While that stemmed from alleged improper behavior near officials, the current action against Edu highlights internal power dynamics and dissatisfaction with performance.

For **Vitor Pereira**, the timing could not be worse. The Portuguese coach, still searching for his first Premier League win since taking over, has navigated a challenging run of fixtures with mixed results.

A hard-fought point at the Etihad showed resilience, with players like Morgan Gibbs-White stepping up, but Pereira has spoken openly about the difficulties of implementing his style amid a congested schedule and limited training time. The squad sits precariously above the relegation zone, and disruptions in the backroom staff risk undermining unity and planning at a critical juncture.

Edu’s ban removes a senior voice in football operations during a phase where strategic input on squad cohesion and future signings is vital. Pereira’s methods emphasize belief, confidence, and structured play, yet without full support structures, the head coach faces added pressure to deliver results quickly. Players have publicly backed the new boss, praising his half-time motivation that inspired comebacks, but off-field instability can erode that goodwill.

Marinakis’s decision sends a clear message: underperformance or misalignment will not be tolerated. Whether this leads to Edu’s swift departure or further changes remains to be seen, but it reinforces the owner’s reputation for bold, sometimes controversial actions. As Forest fight for survival, Pereira must rally his team amid the chaos, proving that on-pitch focus can overcome boardroom drama. The coming weeks will test not just the squad’s resilience but the club’s ability to function cohesively under intense ownership scrutiny.