Owner Evangelos Marinakis has made clear his ambition for Nottingham Forest, saying the Reds belong in the Premier League.
The Greek businessman was at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium last night to see Forest take on Olympiacos – the two clubs he owns – in a pre-season friendly.
It was the Greek giants who came out on top, 3-0, with Reds head coach Sabri Lamouchi admitting some tough lessons had been learned in Athens.
The Frenchman still has a couple of weeks’ worth of preparation, and four more friendlies, to come before the Championship action gets underway.
Forest will be aiming to mount a promotion challenge when the new season kicks off, having finished ninth last time out.
And Marinakis has spelled out his vision, insisting the Reds should be part of the “Premier League elite”.
“We have a long-term plan and based on this plan we want to bring Nottingham back to its own,” he said, in a translated interview.
“And of course Nottingham belongs in the Premier League. It belongs in the Premier League elite.”
Olympiacos were 2-0 up inside seven minutes against their visitors on Tuesday night, with set-pieces proving Forest’s downfall.
And a third goal was added on the half hour mark to round off a comprehensive victory for the hosts.
Lamouchi’s men next take on Crystal Palace at the City Ground on Friday, followed by clashes with Mansfield Town, Real Sociedad and Lincoln City.
They open their league campaign on Saturday, August 3, at home to West Bromwich Albion.
