Nottingham Forest set to appoint Oliver Glasner as manager
Managerial Change at The City Ground
Nottingham Forest is reportedly preparing to appoint former Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner as the successor to Vitor Pereira. A deal for the Austrian coach is understood to be nearing completion, with only final formalities remaining.
Contact with Glasner, who departed his role at Palace at the conclusion of last season, was initiated earlier in the summer. If confirmed, Glasner would become the fifth manager for Forest in less than 12 months.
Pereira was reportedly informed of the decision on Tuesday evening. In a statement, he expressed surprise at the move, stating it came without prior warning, but acknowledged the club’s right to make decisions for its future. He also conveyed his disappointment and sadness, highlighting his belief in the team’s progress during his tenure.
During his time at Forest, Pereira guided the club to secure its Premier League status and reach the semi-finals of the Europa League. He noted his pride in the team’s achievements and the development of the players under his leadership, stating he leaves with respect, gratitude, and positive memories.
Pereira had a year remaining on his contract at The City Ground and had recently participated in a meeting in London to finalise transfer plans. He had also planned pre-season activities in Portugal, which included scheduled friendlies against teams such as Blackburn, Vitoria Guimaraes, Sporting Lisbon, Leverkusen, Barcelona, and Udinese.
Contract discussions with Pereira had been paused last month, with an understanding that they would resume later in the year. Pereira was appointed in February as Forest’s fourth manager of the season, taking over from Sean Dyche.
Glasner’s Background and Fan Reaction
Oliver Glasner led Crystal Palace to the Europa Conference League title last season, following their success in the FA Cup in 2025. Palace had qualified for the Europa League by winning the FA Cup, but were subsequently demoted to the Conference League by Uefa due to breaches of multi-club ownership rules. They went on to win the Conference League by defeating Rayo Vallecano in May.
The potential move has drawn varied reactions from fans. Some former Palace supporters have expressed disappointment and a sense of betrayal regarding Glasner’s possible move to Forest. Comments from fans include surprise at his choice to join a club they perceive as being on par with Palace, and some have indicated a loss of respect for the manager.
One fan described the potential transfer as something that could damage Glasner’s legacy at Palace, especially given events over the past year. Another fan questioned why anyone would want to become a club’s fifth manager in 12 months, speculating that the financial package must be significant.
Forest’s Recent Managerial History
Pereira’s departure marks another managerial change in a period of instability at Nottingham Forest over the last 12 months. This period began with the departure of Nuno Espirito Santo in September.
Pereira guided Forest to a 16th-place finish in the Premier League and to the semi-finals of the Europa League, where they were defeated by eventual winners Aston Villa. This marked the first time Forest had reached a European semi-final since 1984.
Under Pereira, Forest also achieved a 5-0 victory away at Sunderland, which was their largest away win in the top flight since 1995. His first game in charge saw Forest secure a 3-0 victory at Fenerbahce in European competition.
During his four-and-a-half months at the club, Pereira helped move Forest away from relegation concerns. The team scored the joint-most goals alongside Manchester City and had the fifth-best defensive record in the division. Prior to Pereira, Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou were also sacked by Forest last season, with Sean Dyche lasting 114 days before being replaced by Pereira.
Read Also
Source: bbc.co.uk
As News GB's Senior Football Correspondent, Lewis Hartnell reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He reported on south-coast football for a regional title. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Solent University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Lewis lives in Southampton, where he watches youth football and follows the transfer market. “The week's training ground decides the weekend's headlines.”
