The explosive merchant behind Forest's outrageous ref rant has another side
The image is one of the most arresting of the season. The date is March 2 and Darwin Nunez has just scored for Liverpool in the ninth minute of stoppage time, to secure a controversial 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.
Yet again, Forest feel wronged by a crucial refereeing decision moments earlier and not long after the final whistle sounds, players and staff march towards the officials, boiling with rage.
Forest coach Steven Reid turns the air blue and is subsequently banned from the touchline for his tirade at referee Paul Tierney. There are boos and catcalls. Amid it all, owner Evangelos Marinakis stands alone on the touchline, a study in brooding anger.
The scene brought to mind the most common perception of Marinakis: the explosive hire-and-fire merchant who lives life on impulse and to hell with anyone who gets in the way.
Last weekend’s stunning post on the club’s X account, which appeared to question the integrity of VAR official Stuart Attwell, only strengthened those notions. But to underestimate Marinakis or claim to understand his character based on these brief snapshots would be unwise and inaccurate.
Yes, Marinakis, 56, can be a ferocious, unforgiving boss. If he does not like something, he will tell you straight and whoever you are — player, manager, director — you had better be ready to take it on the chin.
Yet you do not achieve the success he has had in business and sport through ruling by fear alone. Those who know him well say he is an excellent listener, able to assimilate information quickly and take shrewd, decisive action.
During the refugee crisis of 2016, Marinakis used the Olympiacos kitchens to feed some of the migrants who had crossed into Greece. He has transformed the port of Piraeus,
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