Espírito Santo has overseen Forest doubling their points in the Premier League from last season to this season, so replacing him will certainly be a challenge.
However, according to a report from Marca in Spain, Marinakis has one candidate in particular in mind, Athletic Bilbao’s Ernesto Valverde.
The report said: “Marinakis is the president under whom Valverde successfully led Olympiacos in two different stints. […] Marinakis has always wanted a third dance with Valverde, whom he considers one of the best coaches he has ever had in his sporting structure.”
Συγκίνηση για τον «δικό μας» Ερνέστο! https://t.co/0F0i0JCDGe #olympiacos #marinakis #valverde #OlympiacosBarça #OlyBarça #UCL #barcelona pic.twitter.com/whu16iYPMS
— Olympiacos FC (@olympiacosfc) November 1, 2017
It would be difficult for Forest fans to see Espírito Santo go after all he has done this season, but Marinakis leaning on a manager he trusts would be the best-case scenario.
He doesn’t just trust Valverde, though, as the pair became incredibly close when the Spanish coach was in his second spell at Olympiacos.
Evangelos Marinakis and Ernesto Valverde became close friends
Marinakis also admires Marco Silva, but his personal admiration for Valverde would make him the most likely candidate for the Forest job should he be available.
👏 Congratulations on your 💯 years of history, @olympiacosfc
From everyone at @AthleticClub and especially from an old friend of yours, Ernesto Valverde.
Συγχαρητήρια!#Olympiacos100 I #AthleticClub 🦁 pic.twitter.com/WTDPeHuW4n
— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) March 10, 2025
Valverde enjoyed two spells at Olympiacos, winning the league in all three of his seasons at the club. Marinakis’ appreciation for the Spaniard was made clear in the press conference announcing his second exit.
Speaking on the Olympiacos website, Marinakis said: “To me, Ernesto Valverde is, above all, a friend and then a collaborator. […] With Ernesto Valverde playing a key part in this effort of ours, we managed to win two titles in the Greek Superleague, performed, according to everyone, good football, kept the Greek flag high in the European competitions and our team works, in all aspects, as a family.
“Ernesto Valverde himself, with his presence in Greece, elevated Greek football and I hope that he will be an ambassador, both for OLYMPIACOS FC as well as for our country, wherever he is in the future.”
Valverde has yet to officially sign an extension at Bilbao, so a reunion with Marinakis cannot be ruled out.
