George Syrianos was ousted in October 2022 following an evaluation of Nottingham Forest’s summer transfer dealings conducted by owner Evangelos Marinakis and then-sporting director Filippo Giraldi. Despite the club’s promotion to the Premier League the previous season, Forest signed 23 new players but managed to amass only five points from their initial nine games before Syrianos’ dismissal. Giraldi’s tenure was short-lived, lasting only six months in his role before departing in April.
Sportbuzz has learned that, despite Syrianos’ departure from full-time employment, he resumed working closely with Forest last summer and continues to contribute to the recruitment process through his company, Fenida. According to its website, Fenida specializes in ‘advanced football analysis’ and boasts clients in La Liga, the Bundesliga, and the Champions League. Syrianos remains a regular presence at matches held at the City Ground, often seen in the directors’ box.
In April of the previous year, Ross Wilson assumed the role of chief football officer and appointed former Southampton scouting chief Tom Stockwell to a senior recruitment position. Despite these organizational changes, Forest’s ownership still relies on Syrianos for guidance.
During the summer of 2022, Syrianos played a pivotal role in identifying players in the Bundesliga. While Taiwo Awoniyi, Orel Mangala, and Moussa Niakhate faced initial challenges, Awoniyi and Mangala became integral parts of the squad that successfully avoided relegation under Steve Cooper last season. However, Niakhate encountered injury issues throughout his tenure at Forest.
