On the shores of the port of Piraeus, on the Aegean Sea, lies a picturesque fish tavern called Papaioannou. The food is delicious and the service top notch.
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis absolutely loves the restaurant whenever he is back in Athens.
Marinakis sets certain standards. Papaioannou certainly lives up to his high expectations. Just like Nottingham Forest is doing now.
Not that Marinakis ever doubted that the club he bought in 2017 when they were in the Championship would achieve his vision.
He therefore saw fit to include European qualification bonuses in his players' contracts.
That's why head coach Nuno Espirito Santo is in line for a lucrative bounty if he can return Forest to Europe for the first time since the 1995-96 season, when they reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup.
Espirito Santo, who replaced Steve Cooper at the City Ground last season, was initially tasked with guiding Forest to Premier League safety – a goal the Portuguese achieved comfortably.
But the fact that his pay package, as Mail Sport understands it, includes a bonus for European qualification speaks volumes for Marinakis' ruthless ambition.
Staying in the Premier League is not enough for Marinakis. His commitment to rewarding staff financially for their success is indicative of the confidence he has in his own ambitions for the club.
He's put his billionaire fortune where his mouth is. If Forest can get the job done and qualify for Europe, he will be happy to reward those who have helped send Forest back to where he thinks they belong. They sit third in the Premier League and are still the only team to beat league leaders Arne Slot's Liverpool in any competition on a famous day at Anfield in September.
Naturally, the manager deserves a lot of credit for his impact. There was some concern about Espirito Santo's departure before the current season, due to a family matter that made him consider moving closer to home.
Forest had even started looking for replacements in preparation for his departure. But Nuno stayed and Forest supporters are grateful he did as the Portuguese's well-organised team became one of the stories of the season.
Currently they are third in the Premier League and half the season is over. Going from fighting relegation to scrapping them for a place in the Champions League represents a rapid transformation, although even the most optimistic Forest supporters will fear a second-half decline.
However, Marinakis will not do that. He will believe that European football is feasible. Espirito Santo and his players are providing the success their Greek owner so desperately craves.
But Marinakis is the real driving force of this upwardly mobile football club. Plans to expand the City Ground by 50,000 seats are progressing.
Also take Marinakis' step to appoint Arsenal sporting director Edu as an example. Why would the Brazilian director leave one of Europe's most exciting projects behind for a club that battled relegation last season?
When Marinakis first mooted the plan for Edu to lead his global football portfolio, which also includes Olympiakos and Rio Ave, there was considerable skepticism as to whether the Greek shipping magnate could pull it off.
A text query about the idea of Edu leaving the Emirates for the City Ground when Mail Sport first got wind of Marinakis' efforts in August was answered with a laughing emoji. Marinakis is the one laughing now.
After completing a period of gardening leave, Edu will take up his new role within the Marinakis network.
After spending time in his company last year, Marinakis' drive hit you between the eyes.
“At the end of the day we are winners,” he told me in an exclusive interview with Mail Sport in April. 'People say you learn from your defeats, but I want victories, not defeats.
'I don't want to learn from defeats. I want to keep winning.'
His vision to return Forest to former glory is manifesting, and with that in mind you'd imagine Marinakis won't be content with taking a step back now.
Forest have put themselves in a position where he and Forest's supporters can dream. If we let this situation slip away, it would be a setback.
That's not to say Forest's performances so far this season haven't delighted Marinakis. Internally, he has praised his employees during what has been an excellent campaign so far.
Those behind the scenes will explain that that kind of praise is not easy to come by.
But they will also understand that we are only halfway through the season. The real prizes and compliments will be awarded in May.
For Espirito Santo and his players, these prizes could be lucrative.
Udogie's dismissal will add to Tottenham's injury problems
Tottenham fear left-back Destiny Udogie will be out for two months after suffering a hamstring injury in the draw with Wolves.
Mail Sport understands that the immediate concerns are that the Italy international, who is a key player for Ange Postecoglou's side, will miss around eight weeks.
Udogie limped off in the 50th minute of the 2-2 draw and was replaced by Sergio Regulion, who made his first Premier League appearance for Spurs since 2022.
Udogie's absence comes as the latest injury for Postecoglou, who faces major selection issues in defense due to his growing list of injured men.
Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Ben Davies and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario are all out, while centre-back Radu Dragusin was forced to play through pain against Wolves, although Djed Spence will be available for Newcastle on Saturday after missing the last match due to suspension.
Spurs are actively looking to add to the squad in January, hoping to ease the pressure on Postecoglou's injury-ravaged squad.
For now, however, the Australian will have to make do with his limited options as he looks to reverse a worrying run of one win in seven Premier League games. Despite the poor order, Postecoglou retains the support of the club board.
Saka's club-versus-country dilemma
An intriguing situation is looming with Bukayo Saka ahead of Thomas Tuchel's first games in charge of England in March.
Arsenal hope Saka can return to training in the last week of February so he can play again in March. However, the decision to have the winger undergo surgery after consultation with a specialist could extend his layoff until April.
If Saka plays for Arsenal in mid-March, it will raise the prospect of his availability for England's first two World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia on March 21 and 24 respectively – Tuchel's first games in charge. And the team chasing the title still has two crucial games to play before then in March: away against Manchester United and at home against Chelsea.
It goes without saying that Saka would be one of the first names selected in the England squad if he is fit. It also goes without saying that Arsenal will want to protect their star striker during the early stages of his comeback as a player.
Man United stars chase team news mole
The recent team leaks at Manchester United certainly captured the imagination of the players, who had their own ideas about who the mole was.
While head coach Ruben Amorim tried to play down the situation brewing behind the scenes at Old Trafford, his players had become super sleuths in an attempt to identify the perpetrator.
Indeed, Mail Sport has been contacted by a number of player representatives, after discussions with their clients, who claim to know who is to blame.
Eagles are close to activating Hughes' contract extension
Crystal Palace are ready to agree a 12-month extension to Will Hughes' contract, Mail Sport understands.
The 29-year-old's current contract expires at the end of the season and the midfielder has been linked with a summer move away from the club. But Palace have an option to extend the midfield's contract for another 12 months and current indications are that they intend to trigger the clause.
Talks over a new contract have yet to begin, but Palace know they hold the cards over Hughes' immediate future.
Meanwhile, Tyrick Mitchell's future has been thrown into doubt in recent weeks amid speculation about leaving Selhurst Park.
However, claims that Mitchell's contract is set to expire at the end of this season have put Crystal Palace officials on edge as their left-back's contract does not expire until 2027.
Barcelona are among the clubs to have expressed interest in signing Mitchell on a free transfer in recent days, but Palace are said to be demanding a fee for their highly-rated defender.
Why a Premier League transfer failed
First impressions matter, but to a Premier League recruitment manager they are everything.
Mail Sport has learned that a top manager has decided not to sign a player after ordering a full Coca-Cola during a meeting.
Nutrition and fueling have become such an important aspect of a professional footballer's life, and carbonated drinks are frowned upon.
Apparently one drink can't hurt. Well, that's possible in football.
Hudson-Odoi adds boost to Forest injuries
Nottingham Forest winger Callum Hudson-Odoi is expected to be fit for Monday's match against an improving Wolves.
Hudson-Odoi suffered a painful dead leg that ruled him out of the win over Everton and his availability for the visit to Molineux is in doubt.
But the winger will be available for the match, news that represents a major boost for Nuno Espirito Santo's side ahead of the clash in the Midlands.
Hudson-Odoi has played in all but two of Forest's Premier League games so far this season and is an integral player.
Monaco joins growing race for Millwall star
Monaco are among the clubs monitoring Millwall youngster Romain Esse.
The 19-year-old attacking midfielder is seen as one of the best talents outside the top flight, with Brighton, Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle among the Premier League sides to have monitored the teenager in recent weeks.
But Mail Sport understands that Ligue 1 side Monaco have also been made aware of his budding talent and are monitoring his progress. Esse scored five goals in 25 games this season.
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