Benfica’s presidential race has once again brought Nottingham Forest into the spotlight, with Portuguese newspaper [**A Bola**](https://www.abola.pt/noticias/pedro-placido-e-paulo-ferreira-propostos-para-financeiros-do-benfica-2025091417470323787?srsltid=AfmBOor088x-GQWa3-WVsuzs59CPrH0mc8SvdI6qnoB555e3jh4xkn1h) highlighting that João Noronha Lopes is betting on a familiar face to structure his sporting project.
The candidate has announced that Tomás Amaral, who previously spent five years in Benfica’s scouting department, will be his choice for sporting director if elected.
Amaral most recently worked at Spartak Moscow, having also built experience at clubs such as Valladolid, Eibar and Granada, as well as earlier stints at Braga, Farense and Belenenses’ academy.
What makes the appointment particularly relevant to English readers is that Amaral has a history of working alongside Pedro Ferreira, currently Nottingham Forest’s head of scouting.
The pair overlapped during their time in Benfica’s scouting setup, and Noronha Lopes wants to reunite them as part of his proposed structure. Ferreira has been named as director general in the candidate’s project, with former striker Nuno Gomes lined up as vice-president for football.
Noronha Lopes will compete against João Diogo Manteigas, Martim Mayer, Cristóvão Carvalho, Rui Costa and Luís Filipe Vieira in the elections.
With several Benfica-linked names now working in England, Nottingham Forest’s connection to Lisbon continues to grow stronger, and any developments could indirectly shape the club’s network in future.