Nottingham Forest sack Vítor Pereira two minutes before June break clause expires, line up Oliver Glasner
Vítor Pereira was dismissed by Nottingham Forest at 11.58pm on Tuesday, just two minutes before a June termination clause expired. Oliver Glasner, after leaving Crystal Palace, is expected to be named the club’s fifth head coach in less than a year.
The dismissal
Forest activated a break clause in Pereira’s contract that allowed either party to terminate the deal at any point in June. The email informing him landed at 11.58pm on the last day of the month, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Pereira said he had been given no prior warning and only learned of the decision when the message arrived.
Although this decision came as a complete surprise to me and without any warning, I fully respect the club's right to make the decisions it believes are best for its future.
A revolving door
Glasner, who left Crystal Palace at the end of last season after winning the Conference League, will become the fifth person to occupy the Forest dugout since Nuno Espírito Santo was sacked last September. Ange Postecoglou lasted 39 days, Sean Dyche followed, and Pereira was hired in February. Owner Evangelos Marinakis, who bought the club in May 2017, is set to appoint his 11th permanent manager.
Glasner’s CV also includes an FA Cup and a Community Shield from his time at Selhurst Park. Forest view the Austrian as an upgrade who can end the churn. His appointment is likely to be on a three-year deal.
Pereira’s brief tenure
The Portuguese coach signed an 18-month contract and steered the side to Premier League safety while also guiding them to the semi-finals of the Europa League, where they lost to eventual winners Aston Villa. Despite that, the club’s hierarchy had already begun working on bringing in Glasner, convinced the move would be worthwhile.
I leave Nottingham Forest with no bitterness or resentment, only respect, gratitude and wonderful memories.
Bad blood with Palace
The appointment is likely to be poorly received at Selhurst Park. Palace and Forest fell out over qualification for last season’s Europa League. Palace won the FA Cup but were demoted to the Conference League by Uefa’s multi-club ownership rules, and Forest took their place. Glasner’s arrival will reopen that wound.
What comes next
Forest believe Glasner can bring stability after a year of upheaval. The club declined to comment, but reports indicate the deal is close to being finalised. For now, the enduring image is of an email sent with two minutes to spare, ending one chapter and opening another at the City Ground.
