The complicated character pruning his Tricky Trees

Following Morgan Gibbs-White's stunning contract U-turn and bewildering interview, Will Castle profiles the Premier League's most intriguing club owner, Evangelos Marinakis

- By Will Castle

Rarely do footballers cite their club's owner as the key reason behind a major career decision. The script often mentions managers, teammates, fans or wider ambition - but not the typically silent powerbroker, their overarching employer.

Like church and state, shareholders and players often don't cross streams, which is why their praises aren't usually sung by the names on the back of the shirts they sell. Yet when Morgan Gibbs-White addressed the world after penning a shock contract extension at Nottingham Forest, the imposing influence of ownership was present for everyone to see.

Forest's star man didn't simply pledge his future to the club. He pledged it to Evangelos Marinakis.

“I’m delighted to sign,” Gibbs-White said, Marinakis anchored by his side. “So thank you to Mr Marinakis for believing in me. Last year, we got to showcase what we're about and what we're trying to build as a team, and I feel like Mr Marinakis is the base of that.” The England international spent most of the now widely shared interview staring at the ground, only allowing himself a fleeting glance at the colossal figure next to him.

Gibbs-White - and the Forest-employed interviewer - incessantly hailed “Mr Marinakis”. When asked about the culture of ambition created inside the Tricky Trees' dressing room, Gibbs-White responded: “Mr Marinakis is the main reason for that.”

It was a strange watch, but one that was reflective of the complicated character that comes with Forest's one-of-a-kind leader. Having signed a new deal with Forest, Morgan Gibbs-White praised Marinakis for his impact on the club (Getty)

Just 16 days prior, Marinakis's talisman looked to be bidding farewell to the City Ground - something that