Oliver Glasner has been appointed Nottingham Forest’s fifth head coach in less than a year, replacing Vitor Pereira who was sacked two minutes before an exit clause in his contract was due to expire. The Austrian, who led Crystal Palace to FA Cup glory in 2025 and the Europa Conference League last season, arrives at the City Ground with a clear mandate from owner Evangelos Marinakis: win.
“Oliver is a winner,” Marinakis said. “It was clear that we share the same vision, the same ambition and the same relentless desire to succeed.”
“Oliver Glasner appointed Nottingham Forest's fifth head coach in a year, replacing sacked Vitor Pereira.”
Glasner, 51, left Palace at the end of last season after announcing in January he would not renew his contract despite being offered a new one. He led the south London club to their first major honour – the FA Cup in 2025 – and followed that up with victory in May’s Conference League final. Palace also won the Community Shield in August, beating Liverpool on penalties. He is one of only three coaches to win both the Europa League and Conference League, having led Eintracht Frankfurt to the former in 2021-22.
“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,” Glasner 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’s head coach turnover has been frenetic. Nuno Espírito Santo began last season, followed by Ange Postecoglou, Sean Dyche and Pereira, who replaced Dyche in February. Pereira steered Forest to 16th in the Premier League – five points above the relegation zone – and the Europa League semi-finals, where they lost to eventual winners Aston Villa. But Marinakis pulled the trigger on Tuesday, sacking Pereira just moments before his contract clause expired. The Guardian reported that Pereira was informed by email just before midnight.
Marinakis, who said contact with Glasner was initiated earlier this summer, outlined an ambition that goes beyond mere survival. “It has always been our goal to establish Nottingham Forest once again among the leading clubs in England and Europe,” he said. “Our ambition is not simply to compete – our ambition is to win, to challenge for major honours and to create a football club that our supporters can be proud of for many years to come.”
Glasner echoed that sentiment, referencing Forest’s history as a two-time European champion. “Our aim is to build a team that can help take the club to the next level in the years ahead and that our supporters can be proud of,” he said. “My immediate focus is on meeting the players and staff and getting to work as we begin pre-season. I can’t wait to get started.”
Whether Glasner can repeat his Palace success at a club that has cycled through five coaches in a year remains the defining question of this appointment.