Nottingham Forest has confirmed the departure of head coach Vitor Pereira, with reports indicating that Oliver Glasner is in discussions to take over the role. Pereira’s exit was described by him as a “complete surprise and without any warning.” The Portuguese coach had been in charge since February, signing an 18-month contract at the City Ground.
Glasner, a free agent after his contract with Crystal Palace officially ended, is considered a leading candidate to succeed Pereira. He previously led Palace to a Conference League victory last season, making him a highly sought-after manager in European football.
Pereira’s unexpected departure
Pereira’s tenure at Forest concluded abruptly, with the decision communicated via email shortly before a contract termination clause was set to expire. This timing, just two minutes before midnight, would have made his removal more costly for the club. He had reportedly been planning for Forest’s pre-season preparations and was caught off guard by the club’s decision.
In a statement, Pereira expressed his disappointment but also gratitude for his time at the club. He guided Forest to Premier League survival and reached the semi-finals of the Europa League during his matches in charge. His record included eight wins, six draws, and six defeats.
Despite his achievements, Forest decided to move in a different direction. Pereira stated, “Although this decision came as a complete surprise to me and without any warning, I fully respect the club’s right to make the decisions it believes are best for its future.” He added that he leaves with “no bitterness or resentment—only respect, gratitude and wonderful memories.”
Glasner’s potential move to Forest
The potential appointment of Glasner at the City Ground follows a period of tension between Forest and Palace. Both clubs were indirectly vying for a spot in last season’s Europa League, with UEFA ultimately ruling that Forest would enter the competition at Palace’s expense. This decision stemmed from Palace’s co-owner John Textor holding a controlling interest in Lyon.
The ruling led to a graphic banner being displayed by Palace fans during a 1-1 Premier League draw at Selhurst Park on August 24, which resulted in a misconduct charge for Palace from the Football Association. Despite being demoted to the Conference League, Glasner led Palace to European success with a 1-0 final win over Rayo Vallecano in May.
Glasner’s arrival would mark a significant change for Forest, who have seen multiple head coaches in a short period. Since Nuno Espirito Santo‘s departure in August, Ange Postecoglou and Sean Dyche also had stints as head coach before Pereira’s arrival in February.
The Austrian manager is highly regarded and is seen as an upgrade for Forest, with the intention of bringing long-term stability to the club. Glasner’s success with Palace, even after the sale of key players like captain Marc Guéhi, has enhanced his reputation.
Pereira’s final statement concluded with well wishes for the club: “I wish the players, the staff, the supporters and everyone at Nottingham Forest every success in the future. This is a special club, and I sincerely hope it continues to grow and achieve great things.”
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Source: skysports.com
As Latest News UK's Sports Reporter, Hannah Whitfield reports on tennis, cricket and athletics for readers across the country. She built her name covering the county circuit and Team GB at two Commonwealth Games. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from Loughborough University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Hannah lives in Bristol, where she plays club tennis and coaches a junior side. “Sport is at its best when you let the athletes tell the story.”