Nottingham Forest in Turmoil: Marinakis' Impulsive Sackings Push Club Toward Record Fourth Manager

Evangelos Marinakis watches intently from the directors' box amid mounting pressure at the City Ground

Chaos at Nottingham Forest under Evangelos Marinakis: trigger-happy owner sacks Sean Dyche as third manager of 2025-26 after 0-0 Wolves draw, now heading for record fourth boss amid relegation fears and doubts over his autocratic style dooming survival.

The club has a day off before regrouping, but the pressure is immense with upcoming fixtures against relegation rivals...

Delve into the chaos at Nottingham Forest under owner Evangelos Marinakis: his trigger-happy hire-and-fire approach has led to sacking Sean Dyche as the third manager in the 2025-26 season after a frustrating draw with Wolves, pushing the club toward a record fourth boss amid relegation fears, fractured morale, and questions over whether his ambitious but autocratic style is self-sabotaging the Tricky Trees' Premier League survival.

Nottingham Forest, a club with a storied history including two European Cups, finds itself in a precarious position in the Premier League. Under the ownership of Greek shipping magnate Evangelos Marinakis since 2017, the club has experienced highs like promotion back to the top flight in 2022, but recent seasons have been marred by instability. 

The latest chapter in this saga is the sacking of Sean Dyche, the third managerial dismissal this season alone, following a frustrating 0-0 draw against bottom-placed Wolves on February 11, 2026. This move has intensified scrutiny on Marinakis, with critics arguing his trigger-happy approach is running the club down, eroding morale, and jeopardizing their Premier League status. As Forest languish in 17th place, just three points above the relegation zone, questions arise about whether Marinakis' ambition is turning into self-sabotage.

The Breaking Point: Sean Dyche's Abrupt Exit

The axe fell on Sean Dyche in the early hours of February 12, 2026, mere hours after Forest's toothless performance against Wolves at the City Ground. Despite dominating with 35 shots and numerous big chances, the team failed to score, drawing boos from the fans and visible fury from Marinakis in the stands. Dyche, appointed only 114 days prior in October 2025, lasted just 25 games, overseeing a period of grim performances that left the club teetering on the edge of the drop zone.

Full-time. pic.twitter.com/dEUjD3Jdwo

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) February 11, 2026

Marinakis' frustration stemmed from the team's inability to capitalize on attacking talent and move clear of relegation threats. Reports suggest senior players expressed concerns over Dyche's coaching methods, tactics, and exhaustive training schedules, which allegedly depleted player energy. In a post-match interview, a dejected Dyche acknowledged his fate lay in the owner's hands, saying the draw felt like a damaging night. The club's brutal 57-word statement confirming the sacking thanked Dyche but offered no further insight, underscoring the cold efficiency of Marinakis' decisions.

A Revolving Door: The Season's Managerial Carousel

This season has been a whirlwind of instability, with Sean Dyche becoming the third casualty in Marinakis' quest for success. It began with the dismissal of Nuno Espírito Santo in August 2025, after a public fallout where Nuno criticized Marinakis, leading to a toxic breakdown in their relationship. Nuno's exit was spun as a necessary cut to prevent further discord, but it set a precedent for impatience.

Next came Ange Postecoglou, poached from Tottenham Hotspur, but sacked after just eight games in October 2025. Marinakis later admitted it was an error, framing the quick correction as “humble decisiveness,” but critics saw it as reckless. Dyche followed, bringing his pragmatic style from stints at Burnley and Everton, yet even he couldn't steady the ship amid poor displays, including a 3-1 loss to Leeds that had the board questioning his future.

Nottingham Forest Football Club can confirm that Sean Dyche has been relieved of his duties as head coach.

We would like to thank Sean and his staff for their efforts during their time at the Club and we wish them the best of luck for the future. We will be making no further… pic.twitter.com/q6LPADIsDw

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) February 12, 2026

This pattern isn't new; since acquiring Forest, Marinakis has overseen numerous managerial changes, from Mark Warburton to Steve Cooper, often amid relegation battles or unmet expectations. Fans and pundits alike lament that such frequent upheavals prevent any long-term strategy from taking root.

Marinakis' Style: Ambition or Autocracy?

Evangelos Marinakis, a larger-than-life figure who also owns Olympiacos and has interests in shipping and media, doesn't “like to mess around,” as social media reactions have put it.  

His ownership has brought investment, including over £150 million spent on players since promotion, but it's coupled with a reputation for volatility. Incidents like throwing an insulting Greek gesture (mountza) at players during the Wolves draw highlight his emotional involvement.

Pundit Simon Jordan has called the situation “mind-blowing,” blaming Marinakis for undermining managers by consulting players on decisions, which erodes authority in the dressing room.

Comparisons to his time at Olympiacos, where he has sacked managers mid-success, suggest a pattern of intolerance for underperformance. While supporters credit him for promotion and infrastructure improvements, the current mess three sackings in one season is squarely on him, as The Athletic notes. This autocratic style may fuel short-term motivation but risks long-term alienation.

The Toll on Performance and Player Morale

Constant managerial turnover has visibly impacted Forest's on-pitch results. The team boasts attacking flair but has struggled defensively, conceding goals while failing to convert chances, as seen in the Wolves stalemate where the opposition keeper had “the game of his life.” With each sacking, players face new tactics, leading to inconsistency and depleted energy from shifting regimes.

Morale is at a low ebb; reports of player concerns influencing sackings indicate a fractured dressing room.

Former manager Martin O'Neill, sacked brutally in 2019, recounted being replaced before clearing his desk, illustrating the dehumanizing speed of Marinakis' actions. Such instability deters top talent and coaches, perpetuating a cycle of mediocrity.

Financial Strain and Regulatory Risks

Marinakis' aggressive spending has already led to points deductions for breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) in previous seasons. The current turmoil exacerbates this, with potential relegation threatening revenue streams. Hiring and firing managers incurs compensation costs Dyche's payoff alone could run into millions straining finances further.

As Forest eye replacements like Vitor Pereira, who won titles under Marinakis at Olympiacos, the cycle risks more expenditure without stability. Critics argue this short-sightedness could lead to another PSR breach, endangering the club's future.

Fan Backlash and Growing Discontent

The Garibaldi faithful, known for their passion, are increasingly vocal in their frustration. Social media buzzes with regrets over Nuno's sacking and predictions of relegation. Boos rang out post-Wolves, and forums like Reddit decry the “satisfying downfall” under Marinakis.

While some appreciate his investment, others protest the lack of patience, fearing it erodes the club's identity. Chants and banners at matches have targeted the owner, signaling a potential rift that could affect attendance and atmosphere.

Looking Forward: A Fourth Manager and Uncertain Horizons

Forest now seeks their fourth manager this season, with Vitor Pereira emerging as their new candidate due to his past success with Marinakis.

Viktor Pereira's recent stint keeping Wolves up offers hope, but skepticism abounds will he last longer than his predecessors?

The club has a day off before regrouping, but the pressure is immense with upcoming fixtures against relegation rivals. For Marinakis, this is a crossroads: continue the hire-and-fire frenzy, or adopt a more measured approach to rebuild trust and performance.

Is Marinakis the Architect of Forest's Decline?

Evangelos Marinakis has much to be grateful for promotion, survival, and ambition, but the current chaos is undeniably his creation.

By sacking three managers in one season, he's fostered instability that hampers progress, alienates stakeholders, and risks relegation. Forest's downfall isn't inevitable, but without a shift in philosophy, the club Marinakis claims to love may suffer irreparable damage. The City Ground deserves better than this endless cycle of upheaval.