Latest Nottingham Forest news: Reds’ new head of recruitment outlines his role ahead of the summer transfer window.
Nottingham Forest’s new head of recruitment is on a mission to help owner Evangelos Marinakis achieve his aim.
Pedro Ferreira just signed a three-year contract at the City Ground after leaving Benfica. He spent 17 years with the Portuguese club, most recently as head of scouting, and has a plethora of knowledge.
The 41-year-old has confessed that his new role with the Reds would provide obstacles. However, the prospect of working with head coach Nuno Espirito Santo and Marinakis’ vision for the club has him thrilled about the challenge ahead.
In a translated interview with Portuguese media source Maisfutebol, Ferreira admitted that leaving Benfica was not an easy decision. He explained: “I felt it was the perfect moment, after 17 years of involvement with the club, to leave what was also my comfort zone. That was it; it was the Premier League, and Nottingham had offered me with a really appealing prospect.
“The owners are tremendously ambitious and want Nottingham to win the trophy again. I realized that I could help make this happen, and the fact that I was working with Mr Nuno Espirito Santo and developing a trusting relationship made me believe that there was something there that would force me to leave my comfort zone, in a different country, and force me to continue to grow and use other tools to do so. I am 41 years old and have career goals, and I believe that moving to Nottingham will help me achieve them.
Ferreira claimed he had already turned down offers to leave Benfica before Forest came calling. He chatted with Marinakis, his son Miltiadis, and George Syrianos, who was recently appointed to the position of worldwide technical director.
Ferreira stated, “I received several invitations (in the past), but I never took that step. What held me back was my connection to the club, my family connection, and the fact that I have many strong roots.
“But Pedro Ferreira, at 41 years old, with his life around him, believed he was ready to take that move. And it was a challenge that I definitely found appealing: Mr. Marinakis, his son, Miltiadis Marinakis, and George Syrianos set challenges for me and recognized that my work could benefit the club while also allowing me to grow and develop my skills. Working alongside Nuno Espírito Santo in the Premier League is also an intriguing opportunity. “I felt like the timing was right.”
On his first days at Trentside, he said, “They’ve been extremely nice and intense. Meetings with the club’s owners, colleagues, the coach, and the technical team, and it is now up to us to work so that Nottingham can be comfortable in the table next season and not have to fight until the final round for maintenance.”