The two sides of Monza's (likely) new owner

A powerful man is on his way from the Greek beaches of Piraeus and his name is Evangelos Marinakis. Trophies, big names, accusations, and all sorts of controversies - true love for the spotlight and drama. But who really is this mega-entrepreneur, so close to acquiring Monza?

Whether he likes it or not, Evangelos Marinakis’s reputation largely precedes him, and the two sides to his persona differ based on context, surroundings, and most importantly, the club in question. As an owner of both Olympiacos and Nottingham Forest, we as outsiders get to see a man who is constantly shifting from one demeanor to the other, keeping everyone guessing on what he is going to do next.

So what are these two sides?

Up first is Marinakis the Olympiacos owner, Greece Super League president, politician, and media mogul. The name Marinakis holds serious weight in Greece, where he is a true, intimidating force across multiple fields. 10 Greek league titles and 4 Greek Cups in 12 years with Olympiacos, as well as numerous big signings such as James Rodríguez, Marcelo, and Kevin Mirallas. Under his ownership, the club has seen 19 different coaches come and go, but despite that, the Marinakis era can only be described as glorious, filled with many highs and few lows. Those few lows, however, were big ones, like his alleged involvement in two separate Greek football match-fixing scandals, in 2011 and 2015. Charges included intimidation, bribery, and even instigation of violence, though Marinakis was ultimately acquitted in both cases. In another worrying episode we can find charges of drug trafficking aboard a cargo ship, but he was acquitted in this case too. Outside of football, Marinakis owns shipping empire Capital Maritime & Trading Corp, the powerful Greek media company Alter Ego Media, and is a member of the Piraeus city council.

You get the point: Marinakis has power, pull, and leverage. And despite being a controversial character, he often engages in philanthropic and charitable causes. Aid efforts and donations for refugees, personal spending for vital infrastructure in Piraeus, and fundraisers to preserve Greek culture domestically and internationally are just some examples of his extra-football endeavors.

Marinakis’ presence in Greece is constant, almost tangible. He makes lots of noise, mostly for good deeds, and his love for the spotlight is probably the one predictable thing about him. And above all, Marinakis is a smart man, which is why he knows when, how, and where to exert his influence. This brings us to the second side: the Nottingham one.

Marinakis’ reputation in England is a lot more low-profile, where his activities are strictly football-only. He is popular among Forest supporters, known for his relentless ambition and genuine care for the club. Unsurprisingly, less trophies for him here, but achieving Premier League promotion with a team that was absent from the top flight since 1999 turned out to be a big boost for his reputation. Like at Olympiacos he loves a big name transfer, as demonstrated by some of Nottingham’s latest arrivals Jesse Lingard, Felipe, Keylor Navas, and Serge Aurier. While maybe not optimal in terms of performance, the signings were fantastic at igniting excitement and interest in a team that was widely considered to be a top candidate for immediate relegation this season. 

Marinakis’ contrasting sides all come down to the strictness of the English Football League system and the importance that he holds in Greece. Where he feels powerful, he will be loud and present, whereas his behind-the-scenes, low-profile act comes out whenever his name turns fewer heads. For these reasons, it would not be surprising for him to opt for the latter at Monza, especially following the passing of a legendary football figure such as Silvio Berlusconi. The presence of Adriano Galliani at the club could also contribute to a quieter Marinakis, but if there is one thing to take away from this article, it is that this man is unpredictable.

So the question remains: which version of Marinakis are Monza fans going to meet?