Glasner takes charge at Nottingham Forest after Pereira sacked two minutes before contract clause expired

Oliver Glasner has been named Nottingham Forest’s new head coach after the club sacked Vitor Pereira via email in circumstances that left the Portuguese manager blindsided — the dismissal arriving just two minutes before a clause in his contract was set to expire.

Pereira, 57, had only joined Forest in February of last season, yet managed to steer the club clear of relegation while also guiding them to the Europa League semi-finals, where they were eliminated by eventual winners Aston Villa. Despite that turnaround, owner Evangelos Marinakis moved quickly to bring in Glasner, who had recently departed Crystal Palace when his contract ran its course.

Glasner, 51, spent just under three seasons at Selhurst Park, delivering the FA Cup and the UEFA Conference League — Palace’s first major trophies in their history. His record in European competition and his ability to build cohesive squads appear to have been decisive factors for Marinakis.

“I’m delighted to join Nottingham Forest as head coach,” Glasner said in a statement released by the club. “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.”

The Austrian coach pointed to the quality within Forest’s existing squad as another reason for his decision. “The potential that I see within the squad were key factors for me and I am excited about what we can achieve together,” he added. “Nottingham Forest is a club with incredible prestige and history, a two-time European Champion with one of the most passionate fan bases in football. Our aim is to build a team that can help take the club to the next level.”

Marinakis was equally emphatic in his backing for the new appointment. “In our discussions with Oliver, it was clear that we share the same vision, the same ambition and the same relentless desire to succeed,” the owner said. “It has always been our goal to establish Nottingham Forest once again among the leading clubs in England and Europe. Our ambition is not simply to compete — our ambition is to win, to challenge for major honours.”

Glasner will now turn his attention to pre-season preparations at the City Ground, with Forest set to compete in the Premier League again next term.