Forest's Fifth Manager
Nottingham Forest Appoints Oliver Glasner, Replacing Pereira to Stabilize Leadership.
Key Points
Forest activated a break clause in Vítor Pereira's contract in June, triggering his dismissal and paving the way for Oliver Glasner to replace him as the club's head coach.
Oliver Glasner is a free agent after leaving Crystal Palace, where he won the FA Cup in 2024-25 and then the Community Shield and Conference League in the following campaign, and he is set to remain in the Premier League with Nottingham Forest.
Nottingham Forest have cycled through multiple managers this season—Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou, Sean Dyche, and Vítor Pereira—with Pereira appointed in February on an 18-month contract to 2027; Glasner would become the club's fifth head coach in just over a year.
There is reported interest from Al-Hilal, a Saudi Pro League club, in Pereira, with contract extension talks reportedly on hold amid external interest.
Glasner had previously been identified as a potential replacement for Forest in December 2023 when Steve Cooper left, but the club instead appointed Nuno Espirito Santo at that time.
Nottingham Forest have activated a break clause in Vítor Pereira's contract, ending his tenure just four months after he saved the club from relegation, according to The Guardian. Oliver Glasner — a free agent after leaving Crystal Palace — is now in advanced talks to become Forest's fifth permanent head coach in barely 12 months.
Forest sent Pereira a termination email at 11:58 PM on June 30, two minutes before the break clause deadline expired, The Guardian reported. The move shocked many: Pereira had attended a positive planning meeting in London just days earlier.
Glasner's Trophy Haul Made Him Irresistible to Forest
Glasner left Crystal Palace after winning three trophies in two seasons: the FA Cup in 2025, then the Community Shield and the UEFA Conference League in 2026. His contract at Selhurst Park expired in January 2026 and he chose not to renew it, leaving him available as a free agent, according to Sky Sports.
Forest's technical director George Syrianos had pushed for Glasner's appointment as far back as December 2023, The Guardian reported. The club hired Nuno Espírito Santo instead. This time, with Glasner available and willing, Forest moved fast. Internally, he is regarded as a "significant upgrade," the outlet noted.
Forest Burned Through Four Managers in One Season
Nuno Espírito Santo was sacked on September 9, 2025, after just one win in three games. Ange Postecoglou replaced him the same day but lasted only 39 days — eight winless Premier League matches — before he too was dismissed, according to NBC Sports. His 39-day tenure cost the club £2.9 million in pay-offs, per OneFootball.
Sean Dyche came next, lasting 114 days before being sacked in February 2026. Then Pereira arrived on an 18-month contract. He went 8 wins in 20 matches — a 40% win rate, the best of the four managers — and guided Forest to 16th place and a Europa League semi-final, per Citi Sports Online. It was not enough.
Pereira's Dismissal Splits Opinion as Al-Hilal Circle
The manner of Pereira's exit drew sharp criticism. Fan forums called it "powerful incompetence" to back a manager publicly, hold contract extension talks, and then fire him by email at midnight. Transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano said there was a "rift between the hierarchy and the boss," with owner Evangelos Marinakis wanting an "elite profile" for the club's next phase.
Pereira is now linked with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal and Portuguese side Rio Ave, according to Glasgow Times. His departure leaves Forest spending heavily on managerial churn on top of a £71 million pre-tax loss for 2024–25, per financial analysts at The Esk.
Glasner Inherits a Squad in Flux and a £116m Exit Looming
Glasner's pressing, high-intensity style — built around a back-three at Palace — marks a sharp break from the defensive approach used by Dyche and Pereira, Sky Sports noted. He will need to adapt quickly. Midfielder Elliot Anderson is reportedly set to complete a £116 million move to Liverpool, which would be a record sale for the club, according to The Guardian.
Forest's administrative costs hit £271.4 million last year, per The Esk. UEFA also recorded a €94 million loss for the club. Glasner will need European football — and fast — to help balance the books. The pressure to deliver is immediate.
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