Successful CEO edges closer to Nottingham Forest as academy graduate becomes national hero

Nottingham Forest look to be moving closer to appointing Barnsley mastermind Dane Murphy as their new CEO.

Amid a shake-up at the City Ground this season, NottinghamshireLive understand Murphy is a potential candidate for the top role, while reports on Saturday saying he had resigned from his current role at Oakwell, along with Barnsley’s club secretary, Taymour Roushdi.

A former midfielder for DC United and New York Cosmos, Murphy has been chief executive at Barnsley for two seasons, overseeing a superb campaign this year as, under Valerien Ismael, the Tykes shocked the Championship to secure a play-off spot.

The man currently in the role at Forest is Ioannis Vrentzos, who took the reins when Evangelos Marinakis bought the club in 2017. Vrentzos is also on the board at Marinakis’ other club, Olympiakos, and it has been suggested he may head back to Greece.

During his time at Forest, Vrentzos has received criticism for the club’s transfer business, an area where Barnsley have excelled to propel themselves up the standings.

Read more on Murphy here.

Brereton nets goal for Chile

Former Nottingham Forest forward Ben Brereton is quickly becoming a hero with Chile.

The 22-year-old scored in the Copa America to help his team to a 1-0 over Bolivia in Brazil.

His matchwinner on Friday came just four days after he made his debut for the country when he came off the bench as a second-half substitute in their 1-1 draw against Argentina. Not bad considering the Argentinians featured Lionel Messi and had Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria as substitutes.

But Brereton really announced himself to his new fanbase with the only goal of the game against Bolivia to take Chile to the top of their group in Brazil.

He struck after ten minutes - Eduardo Vargas playing the ball into his path and Brereton doing the rest as he buried the ball into the bottom corner from 15 yards.

Read more here.

Pearce has say on England

Nottingham Forest legend Stuart Pearce isn’t writing England off on the basis of Friday’s goalless draw with Scotland at Wembley.

Gareth Southgate’s team produced a flat performance as the Scots created the better chances on their way to a point which keeps alive their hopes of qualification.

England are on four points so well set to reach the last 16, but a frustrating 90 minutes raised the spectre of a swift exit in the knockout stages.

But Pearce, who played for England in their 2-0 win over Scotland in the group stages of Euro 96, is taking a balanced view.

He points out that England’s strength has been their defence as they have yet to concede a goal in their opening two games – but their weakness has been failing to create chances.

Click here for more from Pearce.