Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has become a familiar sight on matchdays, whether on the pitch at full-time or down in the tunnel, and one club legend believes that is no bad thing.
The Greek billionaire has attracted attention for his hands-on presence around the first team, regularly making his feelings clear in the moments that matter most. But rather than seeing it as a problem, the former Forest favourite insists it can be a positive for the club.
In comments comparing Marinakis to another well-known, eccentric owner, the Forest legend said that embracing a bit of “craziness” can help create an edge. The suggestion is that high standards and visible emotion from the top can feed into the group, driving intensity and accountability.
Marinakis, who has never hidden his ambitions for Forest, has often cut a passionate figure in the most pressured situations, and the club icon believes that reflects a winning mindset rather than a distraction.
The comparison to an owner who thrived on that same chaotic energy was made to underline the point: sometimes football clubs benefit when the person in charge lives every moment as fiercely as the supporters do.
While opinions will continue to be divided over owners stepping so close to the action, the Forest legend’s view is clear — Marinakis being seen on the pitch and in the tunnel is part of what makes him effective, not a reason for concern.
