The inside story of Aitor Karanka's downfall at Nottingham Forest

Aitor Karanka with his head in his hands
Aitor Karanka and Nottingham Forest have parted ways Credit: getty images

It was on a cold October morning at Nottingham Forest’s training ground when the first real signs of turbulence surfaced over Aitor Karanka’s future as manager.

A pre-scheduled visit from Evangelos Marinakis, the club’s Greek owner, included a meeting with Karanka and his players, in which a stark message was relayed. That message was effectively “promotion or nothing,” according to defender Jack Robinson after the 1-1 draw at Leeds.

It was probably not an ultimatum, but after a mammoth recruitment drive over the summer, with 17 players signed and £23 million spent, Marinakis was unhappy with Forest’s start and spelled it out that a dramatic improvement was required.

Since that meeting, Karanka has won only four Championship games – taking the total to nine victories from 26 – so perhaps his departure is not the surprise many people outside of Nottingham will probably conclude.

There are other statistics, too, which explain why Forest are now searching for their ninth permanent manager in six years. They are only seven points better off than this stage last season, despite such a drastic revamp of the squad which included the record £13.2m signing of Portuguese midfielder Joao Carvalho.

Joao Carvalho (left) in action against Chelsea
Nottingham Forest signed Joao Carvalho for a record £13.2m Credit: getty images

In the summer there was a broad agreement that Karanka needed to be in the play-off places by January 1, yet today they are 7th in the Championship and four points off the top six.

Karanka, unquestionably, will feel he has been harshly treated. Fans will be unhappy and neutrals will think it's another case of trigger-happy owners. 

He signed a two-and-a-half year contract in January last year and there has been definite progress under the Spaniard. Living in an apartment close to the banks of the River Trent, he fully bought into the history and traditions of the former European Cup winners.

During his final weeks in charge, he was dignified and remained respectful to the club. Yet behind the scenes there were problems that extended beyond results.

Relations between Karanka and key people behind the scenes, such as chief executive Giannis Vrentzos, who reports to Marinakis almost daily, have become strained.

The appointment of a director of football, Kyriakos Dourekas, was allegedly made without Karanka’s input and there were recent allegations that he was even sat on the Forest bench for the game against Derby in December. The arrival of a sporting director, Jose Anigo, was also apparently made without Karanka being told.

Forest's owners clashed with Karanka over the lack of games for Arvin Appiah, an exciting teenage winger. They argued that Appiah should be given more time on the field, but Karanka felt it was effectively having his team picked for him.

Karanka wanted even more players in January, informing the board he also wanted to sell Michael Hefele who was only signed in August.

Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis (right)
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis (right) Credit: afP

He had already been backed, significantly, and Forest’s board believe their spending should have yielded better results. Well-placed sources claim his attitude and mood in training has been "distant" in recent weeks and months.

This was always going to be a crucial season for Marinakis, who also owns Olympiakos. After buying the club in May 2017, the first year was all about steadying the ship and falling in line with Financial Fair Play rules after the bewildering regime of Fawaz Al Hasawi.

The second year was the one where Forest would “go for it” and, quite simply, Marinakis thinks it should have been better.

It is understood Karanka was going to be sacked hours after the 3-3 draw with Norwich on Boxing Day, with a statement even drafted that night. In that game Forest had been leading 3-0 but suffered a remarkable meltdown to draw. Some of Karanka’s substitutions in that game also bewildered the hierarchy.

Aitor Karanka
Aitor Karanka was going to be sacked on Boxing Day Credit: getty images

But he received a short stay of execution for the game against Millwall, which was lost. Perhaps he should have gone then, to avoid stringing this out, but Forest were still intent on rebuilding the relationship. A win over Leeds on New Years Day did little to help.

Karanka’s dismissal comes at a time when, off the field, optimism has arguably never been higher in the past decade. Forest are averaging over 27,500 at the City Ground. Over 22,000 season cards have been sold. There are plans to develop the stadium which are due to be officially released soon.

But another manager departure will only strengthen the theory that Forest are in a hurry to finally end that painful exile from the top flight. 

This year it will be two decades since they last operated at that level so the new man, whoever it is, will be under no illusions about the task ahead.

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