Vítor Pereira learned of his sacking as Nottingham Forest head coach in an email that arrived just before midnight on Tuesday, ending a turbulent six-month reign that had taken the Portuguese from Premier League survival to a European semi-final. Forest activated a break clause in June in his contract to appoint Oliver Glasner, the former Crystal Palace manager who won the Conference League last season.
Pereira, who replaced Sean Dyche in February and guided Forest to 16th in the Premier League and the Europa League semi-finals – where they lost to eventual winners Aston Villa – said the decision came as “a complete surprise to me and without any warning”. In a statement to BBC Sport, he added: “Naturally, I am disappointed and saddened. I truly believed in what we were building together, and I leave with a sense of pride in everything we achieved over the past months.”
“Nottingham Forest sack Vítor Pereira by email and appoint Oliver Glasner as fifth head coach in less than a year.”
Despite having a year left on his deal, contract talks had been paused the previous month. Pereira had already planned a pre-season trip to Portugal and attended a meeting in London to finalise transfer plans, but Forest were offered the chance to appoint Glasner on a three-year contract after he left Palace at the end of the season and felt it was too good an opportunity to turn down. Glasner will become the club’s fifth head coach in less than a year.
The Austrian, who won the Conference League as his last act in charge of Palace, is highly thought of by Forest’s technical director, George Syrianos. Internally, Glasner is regarded as an upgrade on Pereira, with the intention that he will bring the long-term stability the club yearn for. Forest had been close to appointing Glasner in December 2023 but instead brought in Nuno Espírito Santo as Steve Cooper’s replacement.
Since Nuno left in August, Forest have rapidly cycled through coaches. Ange Postecoglou lasted eight winless Premier League games, and Dyche had a breakdown in relationship with a number of the squad, leading to Pereira’s arrival. The turbulence at the City Ground resulted in a 16th-placed finish, one point and one position behind Palace.
Pereira said in his statement: “I leave Nottingham Forest with no bitterness or resentment – only respect, gratitude and wonderful memories. Football is full of unexpected moments, and while this chapter has ended sooner than I expected, I will always look back on my time here with pride and affection.”