Oliver Glasner Named Nottingham Forest Head Coach

Nottingham Forest have appointed Oliver Glasner as their new head coach, making the former Crystal Palace manager the fifth man to take charge at the City Ground in less than a year. The 51-year-old Austrian replaces Vitor Pereira, who was dismissed last Tuesday, reportedly just two minutes before an exit clause in his contract was due to expire.

Glasner arrives as one of the most decorated coaches available in Europe. He left Selhurst Park at the end of last season having delivered three trophies in a little over two years, and Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis moved quickly this summer to secure his signature, declaring simply that “Oliver is a winner”.

Fifth Head Coach in Less Than a Year

The scale of upheaval at Nottingham Forest over the past 12 months is remarkable even by modern Premier League standards. Nuno Espirito Santo began last season in charge but was dismissed just three games in following a breakdown in his relationship with the club’s hierarchy. Ange Postecoglou, Sean Dyche and Pereira have all since come and gone.

Pereira steered Forest to 16th in the Premier League, five points clear of the relegation zone, and took them to the Europa League semi-finals, where they were beaten by eventual winners Aston Villa. He still had a year remaining on his contract, although talks over an extension had been paused last month.

Glasner’s Winning Record

Glasner’s stock has rarely been higher. He guided Crystal Palace to the first major honour in their history, the FA Cup, in his debut season before adding the Europa Conference League last season and a penalty shootout win over Liverpool in the Community Shield in August.

He is also one of only three coaches to have won both the Europa League and the Conference League, having lifted the former with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2021-22.

Glasner announced in January that he would leave Palace at the end of the season in search of a new challenge, turning down the offer of a fresh contract. His departure was not entirely harmonious, with the Austrian claiming he and his squad had been left unsupported by the Selhurst Park hierarchy during the January window.

What the New Man and the Owner Said

Glasner said his early conversations with Marinakis and the club’s leadership convinced him that Forest have a clear long-term vision, and that the trust placed in him and his staff, together with the potential he sees in the squad, were decisive factors in his decision to join.

Marinakis, meanwhile, pointed to Glasner’s record of building successful teams and delivering trophies against elite opposition, and restated his ambition to re-establish Forest among the leading clubs in England and Europe, insisting the club’s goal is to win major honours rather than simply compete.

The Task Ahead at the City Ground

With no European football at Forest next season, Glasner will have a clearer run at reshaping the squad than any of his recent predecessors. The flip side is obvious: Pereira lasted 133 days, Dyche 114 and Postecoglou just 39, so patience has been in short supply under the current ownership.

Glasner has shown he is willing to challenge those above him, which made for a combustible ending at Palace, and Marinakis is not known for tolerating dissent. If the pair can make the relationship work, though, Forest have appointed a proven serial winner ahead of the 2026-27 Premier League season. His arrival is the latest big move in a busy summer window that has already seen Tottenham break their transfer record for Sandro Tonali.

Oliver Glasner to Nottingham Forest FAQs

Here are the key questions answered on Oliver Glasner’s appointment as Nottingham Forest head coach.

Who is Nottingham Forest’s new head coach?
Oliver Glasner, the 51-year-old Austrian who won the FA Cup, Europa Conference League and Community Shield with Crystal Palace, was appointed on 6 July 2026.

Why did Nottingham Forest sack Vitor Pereira?
Pereira was dismissed shortly before an exit clause in his contract expired, despite guiding Forest to Premier League safety in 16th place and the Europa League semi-finals.

What has Oliver Glasner won as a manager?
Glasner won the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2021-22, then the FA Cup, the Europa Conference League and the Community Shield with Crystal Palace. He is one of only three coaches to win both the Europa League and Conference League.

How many head coaches have Nottingham Forest had in the past year?
Glasner is the fifth in less than 12 months, following Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou, Sean Dyche and Vitor Pereira.