Oliver Glasner has joined Nottingham Forest as head coach after a seafood platter meeting with owner Evangelos Marinakis, bringing ambitions to restore the club’s European football glory. The 51-year-old Austrian signed a three-year contract following his successful tenure at Crystal Palace, where he won the FA Cup, Conference League, and Community Shield.
Glasner’s vision for Nottingham Forest
Glasner emphasized the need for patience, stating, “I’m no magician” and that it will take three to six months for players to adopt his system. He aims to push Forest closer to European places after a season where they avoided relegation and reached the Europa League semi-finals. The club is targeting Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall as a club-record signing to replace Elliot Anderson, sold to Manchester City.
Key transfer moves and squad changes
Forest are also close to signing midfielder Xaver Schlager on a free transfer from RB Leipzig. Glasner hopes to have at least two new additions for next week’s Portugal training camp. The club sacked Vítor Pereira to make way for Glasner, whom they view as a transformative appointment.
Comparison: Glasner vs. previous Forest managers
| Manager | Tenure | Major Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Oliver Glasner | 2025–present | FA Cup, Conference League, Community Shield (at Palace) |
| Vítor Pereira | 2024–2025 | Europa League semi-finals |
| Steve Cooper | 2021–2023 | Premier League survival |
Key takeaways from Glasner’s appointment
- Ambitious owner: Marinakis’ seafood meeting sealed the deal.
- European focus: Glasner wants to bring back the “sweet honey” of European football.
- Transfer activity: Bergvall and Schlager targeted for squad reinforcement.
- Patience required: System changes may take months to show results.
FAQ
Why did Oliver Glasner join Nottingham Forest?
Glasner was convinced after a seafood platter meeting with owner Evangelos Marinakis, who shares his ambition for European success.
What is Glasner’s record at Crystal Palace?
He won the FA Cup, Conference League, and Community Shield during his two-year tenure.
Who are Nottingham Forest targeting in the transfer window?
Forest are pursuing Lucas Bergvall from Tottenham and Xaver Schlager from RB Leipzig.
Glasner’s arrival signals a new chapter for Nottingham Forest as they aim to climb the Premier League table and return to European competition. With Marinakis’ backing and strategic signings, the club hopes to make the toast sweeter next season.
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