Oliver Glasner’s Forest gamble: Can he steady Nottingham Forest’s ship?

Nottingham Forest’s revolving door at the City Ground has turned once more, with Oliver Glasner confirmed as the club’s fifth head coach in less than a year. The Austrian arrives after guiding Crystal Palace to their first major honours in 25 years—a domestic cup double in 2025—yet faces an immediate challenge: steadying a side that has lurched from one managerial upheaval to another without finding consistency. With Forest clinging to Premier League safety by five points in February, Glasner’s appointment is less a bold statement than a calculated gamble by owner Evangelos Marinakis to restore direction before the season’s decisive run-in.

From South London to the East Midlands: What Glasner Brings

Glasner’s departure from Palace was no surprise; he had already declared his intention to seek a new challenge despite a contract offer, citing a desire to test himself elsewhere. His record speaks for itself: an FA Cup triumph, a Europa Conference League victory, and a Community Shield win over Liverpool in August. Marinakis framed the appointment as a strategic match, emphasising shared ambition and a long-term vision for Forest to rejoin England’s elite. “He has consistently demonstrated throughout his career that he can build outstanding teams and deliver success against the strongest competition,” the owner noted.

The timing of Pereira’s dismissal—two minutes before his exit clause expired—underscored the club’s urgency. Forest’s instability has been costly: Nuno Espírito Santo, Ange Postecoglou, Sean Dyche, and Pereira each had spells in charge since September, while the squad’s identity has shifted with every tactical overhaul. Glasner’s arrival offers a rare chance to reset, but the Premier League’s relentless demands leave little room for error. As Anderson’s £130m move to Manchester City marked the end of a Forest era, Glasner must now define his own.

The Tactical Puzzle: Can Glasner Rebuild in Six Weeks?

Glasner’s reputation rests on his ability to organise teams to press high and transition quickly, a style that powered Frankfurt’s 2022 Europa League triumph. Yet Forest’s current squad—honed under Dyche’s pragmatic approach and Pereira’s cautious pragmatism—may require significant adaptation. The Austrian’s preference for structured build-up play and aggressive pressing could clash with the defensive solidity that kept Forest afloat under Pereira, who guided them to a 16th-place finish and an Europa League semi-final run.

His immediate task is twofold: restore morale in a dressing room unsettled by constant change and impose a coherent system before the transfer window closes. Forest’s pre-season schedule will be critical; Glasner’s first real test arrives against sides with clearer identities, such as Liverpool or Tottenham. The risk is clear: if the new system falters early, the club’s relegation fears could resurface faster than expected. Marinakis’s backing suggests patience, but the Premier League’s unforgiving nature tolerates no extended experimentation.

Stability or Stagnation? Forest’s Uphill Battle

Forest’s survival hinges on more than Glasner’s tactics; it demands squad reinforcement and a clear transfer strategy. The club’s recent history—from West Ham’s relegation nightmare to Liverpool’s title challenges—highlights how quickly fortunes can shift in the top flight. Glasner’s challenge is to prevent Forest from becoming another cautionary tale. His experience in European competition, where he navigated knockout football with composure, may prove invaluable in tight league battles.

Yet the Premier League’s physical demands and relentless fixture schedule could expose any tactical weaknesses. Glasner’s success at Palace relied on a settled core and smart recruitment; Forest’s current squad lacks that cohesion. The next month will reveal whether his gamble pays off—or if the club’s instability merely finds a new form.

Forest’s appointment of Glasner is a high-stakes roll of the dice, but one rooted in tangible achievement rather than empty promise. If he can translate his European pedigree into domestic stability, the gamble may yet pay off. If not, the club’s revolving door risks spinning once more.