Oliver Glasner Vows to Take Nottingham Forest to 'Next Level' as Club's Fifth Head Coach in Under a Year

Jul 6, 2026 4 min read 26 views

Photo

Text Size

Nottingham Forest have named Oliver Glasner as their fifth head coach in less than a year, following the sacking of Vitor Pereira. The Austrian arrive...

Nottingham Forest have officially appointed Oliver Glasner as their new head coach, making him the fifth man to take charge at the City Ground in less than a year. The 51-year-old Austrian succeeds Vitor Pereira, who was sacked on Tuesday just minutes before a contract clause was due to expire.

Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis described Glasner as "a winner" and expressed his delight at securing a manager with a proven track record of success.

"Oliver is a winner. It was clear that we share the same vision, the same ambition and the same relentless desire to succeed,"

Marinakis said in a club statement.

Managerial Instability at Forest

Glasner steps into one of the most volatile dugouts in the Premier League. Last season began with Nuno Espírito Santo in charge, but he was dismissed after only three games following a breakdown in relations with the hierarchy. Ange Postecoglou lasted just 39 days, Sean Dyche 114, and Pereira 133 – each exit marred by reports of disagreements behind the scenes.

Nuno’s 21-month reign had ended after he publicly criticised the club’s transfer business and fell out with global sporting director Edu, revealing a deteriorated relationship with Marinakis. The pattern of rapid turnover raises questions about the patience Glasner will be afforded if results do not meet immediate expectations.

Glasner's Winning Credentials

Glasner arrives with an impressive CV. At Crystal Palace, he delivered the club’s first major honour – the FA Cup – in his debut 2024-25 season, followed by the Europa Conference League last term. He also won the Community Shield against Liverpool in August 2025. Prior to that, he masterminded Eintracht Frankfurt’s Europa League triumph in 2022, becoming one of only three managers to win both UEFA club competitions.

Marinakis emphasised the Austrian’s pedigree:

"He has consistently demonstrated throughout his career that he can build outstanding teams and deliver success against the strongest competition,"

he said. Glasner’s high-energy, pressing style and tactical flexibility – often using a back three – have been hallmarks of his success, and Forest fans will hope he can instil a similar identity at the City Ground.

What Glasner Brings to the City Ground

Speaking for the first time as Forest boss, Glasner spoke of a shared long-term vision.

"From my very first conversations with the owner and the leadership team, it was evident to me that they have a clear vision for this football club and complete trust and belief in me and my staff to build a strong future together over the long term,"

he said.

"That trust and shared commitment, together with the potential that I see within the squad, were key factors for me and I am excited about what we can achieve together."

Forest finished 16th under Pereira, just five points above the drop, and reached the Europa League semi-finals. With no European football next season, Glasner will have more time on the training ground to implement his ideas. However, his own history of boardroom tension – he left Palace claiming his squad had been "abandoned completely" by the hierarchy – signals that the harmony could be tested. For now, both parties are projecting unity and ambition, but the clock is already ticking.

Key Takeaways

Oliver Glasner becomes Nottingham Forest's fifth permanent head coach in under 12 months, following Nuno Espírito Santo, Ange Postecoglou, Sean Dyche, and Vítor Pereira.
Glasner brings a proven winning resume, having won the FA Cup and Europa Conference League with Crystal Palace and the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt.
The appointment is a statement of ambition by owner Evangelos Marinakis, but Glasner must navigate a club with a turbulent recent history of managerial dismissals.
Without European distractions, Glasner has a clear runway to rebuild, but expectations are high and patience has been in short supply at the City Ground.
Glasner's previous fall-out with Palace's board suggests potential friction, but both parties express confidence in a shared long-term vision.