Nottingham Forest’s Dane Murphy has been named Championship CEO of the Year.
The American has helped oversee a transformation of the Reds’ fortunes since taking up post at the City Ground last summer. And he has been recognised for the impact he has had on the banks of the Trent.
Football business magazine fcbusiness have nominated a chief executive from each league for “their leadership throughout the 2021/22 season”. Murphy got the nod for the second tier and is now in the running for the overall CEO of the Year prize.
Read more: Bournemouth boss Scott Parker stokes Forest rivalry with 'one million percent' claim
Read more: Riverside views and St Andrew's sadness mark out best and worst Forest away days
The 36-year-old was appointed at Forest last July, with the club now in contention for promotion to the Premier League. Murphy’s relationship with head coach Steve Cooper, who took charge in September, has been integral to that, as well as the club’s work in the transfer market.
Murphy joins Phil Alexander (Crystal Palace), Mal Brannigan (Wigan Athletic), Colin Garlick (Port Vale) and Andrew McKinlay (Heart of Midlothian) in the shortlist for the overall award. Each winner will receive their divisional award at a ceremony at the Brewery in London next month, before the overall winner is announced.
Past winners of the trophy include Susan Whelan (Leicester City) Peter Moore (Liverpool), Henry Staelens (Forest Green Rovers) Mark Ashton (Bristol City), Alan Burrows (Motherwell), Karren Brady (West Ham United), Mark Catlin, (Portsmouth) and Alistair Mackintosh (Fulham FC.
“As always, this award has been incredibly tough to judge due to the high standard of work that goes on behind the scenes in club football and the high calibre of candidates to choose from,” said fcbusiness editor and Football Business Awards judge, Aaron Gourley. “The role of CEO has never been more important than it has over the last few years.
“Difficult decisions have had to be made as they navigate their clubs through what has been a very turbulent time due to the pandemic. Our nominees for this year’s awards have shown great resolve to ensure their respective clubs thrive both on and off the pitch as the game picks itself up and moves forward to become even stronger than before.”
Football Business Awards co-founder Simon Burton added: “The role of a CEO as leader of a football club has never been more important. The nominees stand as exemplars of the unique blend of talents required to deliver success for the club as a sporting enterprise, sustainable business and cornerstone of the community.”
