NOTTINGHAM FOREST Chief Executive Dane Murphy has stepped down from his role: "to pursue other opportunities."
The 36-year-old former MLS star joined Forest from Barnsley in July 2021 and was responsible for recruiting Steve Cooper, who went on to end Forest's 23-year wait to return to the Premier League.
It was thought Murphy would be part of the shake-up at the City Ground earlier this season which resulted in head of data and analytic recruitment George Syrianos and head of scouting Andy Scott being axed following a miserable run of results.
Forest brought in Filippo Giraldi as Sporting Director however Murphy remained in his post as Cooper was handed a new contract to stabilise the situation.
Giraldi was tasked with undertaking a major root and branch investigation of where the club could move forward and make improvements.
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However, Murphy has had a difficult relationship with key figures at the club recently and has known for some time he was approaching the end game.
He sent an emotional farewell to the club's support this morning on the club website.
A statement said: "Nottingham Forest can confirm that, by mutual consent, Dane Murphy will step down as CEO in order to pursue other opportunities.
"The club would like to thank Dane for his service and wish him well for the future.
"Dane has provided the following personal statement: 'Never have I been a proponent of, nor in fact, have I ever been any good at goodbyes.
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"'It is much easier to give thanks and recognize those who made my time at Forest so special.
"'Nottingham is a community of people who put the work in before the talk. Who pour themselves into what matters most and commit to the genuine causes that allow them to progress.
"'The unbridled passion for this football club, passed down through generations, reverberates throughout the sport. That passion is the true north that guides the players, the staff and all at the City Ground.
"'I would be remiss to not acknowledge those who helped make my time at the Club successful.
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"'Thank you, first and foremost, to Evangelos Marinakis who allowed me to realize a dream I did not know I had. To Socrates Kominakis, Miltos Marinakis, and Chairman Nicholas Randall KC, thank you for believing in my stewardship.
"'Finally, thank you to all the players, staff, and co-workers who over the last 18 months helped build the Club to where it now stands. Everyone should take great pride in the achievement.
"'My gratitude for the welcome received, and the treatment of my wife and I by this community cannot be bound by words. It has been the honour of my second career to serve this Club and all of you.
"'I’ll miss the mist rolling in the from the Trent. Forever and always, You Reds!
"'Yours Sincerely, Dane Murphy.'"
Significantly, Murphy did not mention Giraldi by name.
