Nottingham Forest have sacked Vítor Pereira and appointed Oliver Glasner as their fifth head coach in less than a year. The club activated a break clause in Pereira's contract in June, which they did late on Tuesday, and offered Glasner a three-year contract after he left Crystal Palace at the end of the season.
Pereira's sacking comes as a surprise
Pereira, who led Forest to safety after replacing Sean Dyche in February, learned of his departure in an email received just before midnight. The Portuguese was surprised, having planned pre-season in Portugal and held talks over transfers. He said his sacking had come as a “complete surprise to me and without any warning” and described himself as “disappointed and saddened”. But he also said: “I leave Nottingham Forest with no bitterness or resentment—only respect, gratitude and wonderful memories. Football is full of unexpected moments, and while this chapter has ended sooner than I expected, I will always look back on my time here with pride and affection.”
Glasner's appointment and background
Forest were close to appointing Glasner in December 2023 but elected to bring in Nuno Espírito Santo as Steve Cooper’s replacement. The Austrian is highly thought of by Forest’s technical director, George Syrianos, and there is a feeling his style will be a better fit for the squad. Internally, Glasner is regarded as an upgrade on Pereira and the intention is he will bring the long-term stability the club yearn for. Glasner won the Conference League as his last act in charge of Palace and impressed there in sometimes trying circumstances as their best players were sold. He announced in January that he would not renew his contract but managed then to turn around their domestic form despite the sale of the captain Marc Guéhi without a replacement being signed.
Rapid turnover of head coaches
Since Nuno left Forest in August, the club have rapidly gone through head coaches. Ange Postecoglou lasted eight winless Premier League games and Dyche had a breakdown in relationship with a number of the squad, leading to Pereira’s arrival. The turbulence at the City Ground resulted in a 16th placed finish, one point and position behind Palace.
Glasner's challenges ahead
Glasner will start at Forest without Elliot Anderson, who is poised to complete a £116m move to Manchester City. Forest are targeting Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall as a potential replacement but face competition from other clubs.
