On the banks of the Piraeus port, off the Aegean Sea, sits a quaint fish taverna called Papaioannou. The food is delicious and the service top notch.
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, whenever he’s back in Athens, is hugely fond of the restaurant.
Marinakis demands certain standards. Papaioannou certainly meets his lofty expectations. As, too, do Nottingham Forest right now.
Not that Marinakis ever doubted that the club he purchased in 2017 when they were in the Championship would fulfil his vision.
It’s why he saw fit to include European qualification bonuses in his players’ contracts.
It’s why head coach Nuno Espirito Santo is in line for a lucrative bounty if he can return Forest to Europe for the first time since the 1995-96 campaign, when they reached the Uefa Cup quarter-finals.
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis’ ambitions have driven the club forwards
Forest have emerged as one of the stories of the season and are currently third in the top flight
Nuno Espirito Santo and his players could earn lucrative bonuses for European qualification
Espirito Santo, who replaced Steve Cooper at the City Ground last season, was initially tasked with leading Forest to Premier League safety – a target the Portuguese achieved comfortably.
But the fact his remuneration package, as Mail Sport understands it, includes a bonus for European qualification speaks volumes for Marinakis’ relentless ambition.
Staying in the Premier League isn’t enough for Marinakis. His commitment to financially rewarding staff for their success is indicative of the faith he has in his own aspirations for the club.
He’s put his billionaire fortune where his mouth is. If Forest can complete the job and qualify for Europe he’ll gladly reward those who have helped fire Forest back to where he believes they belong. They sit third in the Premier League and remain the only team to beat leaders Arne Slot’s Liverpool in any competition, on a famous day at Anfield in September.
Of course, the manager deserves fulsome credit for his impact. There was some concern about Espirito Santo leaving ahead of the current season, owing to a family matter that had him contemplating moving closer to home.
Forest, in preparation for his departure, had even started identifying replacements. But Nuno stayed and Forest supporters are grateful he did with the Portuguese’s well-organised team emerging as one of the stories of the season.
They currently sit third in the Premier League with half of the season gone. From fighting relegation to scrapping it out for a Champions League spot represents a rapid transformation, though even the most optimistic of Forest supporters will fear a second-half decline.
Marinakis won’t though. He’ll believe European football is achievable. Espirito Santo and his players are delivering the success their Greek owner so desperately craves.
Marinakis’ commitment to financially rewarding his staff is indicative for his own aspirations
But Marinakis is the real driving force of this upwardly mobile football club. Plans for 50,000-seater expansion of the City Ground are progressing.
Similarly, take Marinakis’ move to appoint sporting director Edu from Arsenal as a case in point. Why would the Brazilian executive leave one of Europe’s most exciting projects for a club who last season were fighting relegation?
Indeed, when Marinakis first hatched the plan for Edu to head up his global football portfolio, that also includes Olympiakos and Rio Ave, there was significant scepticism over whether the Greek shipping magnate could pull it off.
One text enquiry about the idea of Edu leaving the Emirates for the City Ground when Mail Sport first got wind of Marinakis’ attempts in August was met with a laughing emoji. Marinakis is the one laughing now.
After completing a period of gardening leave, Edu is set to assume his new role within Marinakis’ network.
Having spent time in his company last year Marinakis’ drive struck you between the eyes.
‘At the end of the day we are winners,’ he told me in an exclusive interview with Mail Sport in April. ‘People say you learn from your defeats – but I want victories not defeats.
‘I don’t want to learn from defeats. I want to keep winning.’
Marinakis’ plans for 50,000-seater expansion of the City Ground are progressing
Edu, left, will assume a new role within Marinakis’ network after being lured from Arsenal
His vision of returning Forest to previous glories is manifesting, and with that in mind you’d imagine Marinakis won’t be satisfied with a backwards step now.
Forest have powered themselves into a position where he and Forest supporters can dream. Allowing that situation to slip would arrive as a setback.
That’s not to say Forest’s accomplishments so far this season haven’t delighted Marinakis. Internally he has offered praise to his staff during what has been an excellent campaign thus far.
Those behind the scenes will explain that that sort of praise isn’t easy to come by.
But, equally, they’ll understand we are only halfway through the season. The real prizes and plaudits are dished out in May.
For Espirito Santo and his players those prizes could prove lucrative.
Udogie lay-off set to add to Tottenham’s injury woes
Tottenham fear left back Destiny Udogie will be out for two months after suffering a hamstring injury in the draw with Wolves.
Mail Sport understands initial concerns are that the Italy international, who is a key player for Ange Postecoglou’s side, will miss around eight weeks.
Udogie limped off in the 50th minute of the 2-2 draw to be replaced by Sergio Regulion, who made his first Premier League appearance for Spurs since 2022.
Udogie’s absence arrives as the latest injury blow to Postecoglou, who is coping with major selection issues in defence due to his growing list of walking wounded.
Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Ben Davies and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario are all out, while centre back Radu Dragusin had to play through pain against Wolves, though Djed Spence is available for Newcastle on Saturday after missing the last match through suspension.
Spurs are actively seeking additions to the squad in January in hope of alleviating the pressure on Postecoglou’s injury ravaged squad.
For now, though, the Australian will have to make do with his depleted options as he looks to turn around a worrying run of of one win in seven Premier League matches. Postecoglou maintains the backing of the club’s board despite the poor sequence.
Tottenham fear left back Destiny Udogie will be out for two months with a hamstring injury
Spurs are actively seeking additions in January to bolster Ange Postecoglou’s depleted side
Saka’s club-v-country dilemma
There is an intriguing situation brewing with Bukayo Saka ahead of Thomas Tuchel’s first games in charge of England in March.
Arsenal are hopeful of having Saka back training by the final week of February with a view to having him available to play in March, though the decision for the winger to undergo surgery following consultation with a specialist, may extend his lay-off into April.
If Saka plays for Arsenal by mid-March, it raises the prospect of his availability for England’s first two World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia on March 21 and 24, respectively – Tuchel’s first games in charge. And the title-chasing side have two crucial games before then in March, away to Manchester United and at home to Chelsea.
It goes without saying that Saka would be one of the first names selected in the England squad when fit. It also goes without saying that Arsenal will want to protect their star forward during the early stages of his playing comeback.
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka underwent surgery last week after sustaining a hamstring injury
His possible return date could coincide with Thomas Tuchel’s first matches as England boss
Man United stars hunt for team news mole
The recent team leaks at Manchester United certainly caught the imagination of the players, who had their own ideas about who the mole was.
While head coach Ruben Amorim tried to play down the situation that had been brewing behind the scenes at Old Trafford, his players had turned into super-sleuths in an effort to identify the culprit.
Indeed, Mail Sport has been contacted by a number of representatives of players, following conversations with their clients, claiming to know who is to blame.
Ruben Amorim played down team news leaks, but they have caught the imagination of players
Players have turned sleuths to find the culprit, with some claiming they know who is to blame
Eagles poised to trigger Hughes contract extension
Crystal Palace are ready to trigger an 12-month extension in Will Hughes’ contract, Mail Sport understands.
The 29-year-old’s current deal expires at the end of the season and the midfielder has been linked with a summer move away from the club. But Palace have an option to extend the midfield’s contract by 12 months and current indications are that they intend to trigger the clause.
Talks over a new contract are yet to commence, but Palace know they hold the cards over Hughes’ immediate future.
Meanwhile, Tyrick Mitchell’s future has been thrown into question in recent weeks amid speculation of Selhurst Park exit.
Assertions, though, that Mitchell’s contract expires at the end of this season have thrown Crystal Palace officials given their left back’s deal doesn’t expire until 2027.
Barcelona are among the clubs to have been credited with an interest in taking Mitchell on a free transfer in recent days, but Palace would demand a fee for their highly rated defender.
Crystal Palace are expected to trigger a one year extension to Will Hughes’ contract
Speculation grew over Tyrick Mitchell’s future, but the defender’s deal runs until 2027
Why a Premier League transfer fell flat
First impressions count for a lot, but for one Premier League recruitment executive they are everything.
Mail Sport has learned that one top-flight executive has decided against signing a player because he ordered a full-fat Coca-Cola at a meeting.
Nutrition and refuelling has become such a key aspect of life as a professional footballer, and fizzy drinks are frowned upon.
One drink won’t hurt, apparently. Well it does in football.
Hudson-Odoi hands Forest injury boost
Nottingham Forest winger Callum Hudson-Odoi is expected to be fit for Monday’s clash to improving Wolves.
Hudson-Odoi suffered a painful dead leg that ruled him out of the victory over Everton and his availability for the visit to Molineux has been in doubt.
But the winger is set to be available for the game, news that arrives as a key boost to Nuno Espirito Santo’s side ahead of the Midlands clash.
Hudson-Odoi has played in all but two of Forest’s Premier League games so far this season and is an integral player.
Callum Hudson-Odoi is expected to be fit for Nottingham Forest’s clash against Wolves
Monaco join growing race for Millwall star
Monaco are among the clubs monitoring Millwall youngster Romain Esse.
The 19-year-old attacking midfielder is viewed as one of the best talents outside the top flight, with Brighton, Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle are among the Premier League sides to have watched the teenager in recent weeks.
But Mail Sport has learned that Ligue 1 side Monaco have also been alerted to his burgeoning talent and are keeping tabs on his progress. Esse has scored five goals in 25 appearances this season.
Monaco have joined the list of clubs monitoring Millwall youngster Romain Esse
