Gary Lineker has delivered a blunt message to Nottingham Forest players, urging them to demonstrate courage and directly challenge owner Evangelos Marinakis over his trigger-happy approach to sacking managers. The comments follow Forest's confirmation in the early hours of Thursday that Sean Dyche had been relieved of his position as head coach, marking the third managerial dismissal of the season.
Forest's Managerial Turmoil Continues
Sean Dyche arrived at Nottingham Forest in October as the third permanent manager of the campaign, following the earlier sackings of Ange Postecoglou and Nuno Espirito Santo. During his tenure, Dyche recorded ten victories in twenty-five matches, but a 0-0 home draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers proved to be his final game in charge. The club is now poised to appoint Vitor Pereira as its fourth manager of the season, with the former Wolves boss reportedly close to signing a contract running until the summer of 2027.
Shearer and Lineker's Podcast Discussion
Addressing the latest managerial change on the Rest is Football podcast, former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer referenced reports of a post-match gathering involving Marinakis and players shortly before Dyche's dismissal. "There are reports, and it looks as if they're pretty solid, that he gets a players' committee in and speaks to the players and finds out what they feel, and by all accounts that's what he did last evening after the game," Shearer stated.
Lineker responded by highlighting the potential bias in player feedback, noting that those in the starting lineup are generally content with the manager, while others may seek excuses. "If you're in the team, you're generally happy with the manager; if you're not, you're not. In the big scheme of things players will also look for an excuse, they might blame the manager," Lineker explained.
Criticism of Marinakis's Recruitment Strategy
Shearer then emphasised Marinakis's responsibility for managerial recruitment, pointing out the owner's failure to establish stability. "But he has to take his responsibility for his recruitment of managers, I mean come on! If you're looking at Ange and looking at Nuno and looking at Sean Dyche and now you're looking for your fourth manager in a season. Sometimes you have to say to yourself: 'Am I doing my job right?' And clearly he's not. So he has to take his share of the blame," Shearer asserted.
Lineker further criticised the constant shift in playing styles under different managers, noting the contrasting approaches of Espirito Santo, Postecoglou, and Dyche. Pereira, an energetic and attack-minded coach who favours high pressing and possession-based football, represents yet another stylistic change. "Obviously Nuno plays in a counter-attacking way, Ange plays very much on the front foot; then he goes back to a style with Sean Dyche - the players will be going 'What? Who's coming next?'" Lineker remarked.
Lineker's Direct Challenge to Players
In a candid conclusion, Lineker called on Forest players to confront Marinakis directly about the lack of consistency. "I think if the players had the balls in a committee meeting and said to him 'Hang on a minute mate, you need to decide what f****ing style of football you actually want us to play' rather than changing it and flip-flopping 14 times - I dunno, I exaggerate," he stated, underscoring the need for clarity and stability at the club.
Upcoming Fixtures for Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest return to action with a trip to Fenerbahce for the first leg of their Europa League play-off on Thursday, February 19. This is followed by a Premier League clash against Liverpool at the City Ground just three days later, presenting immediate challenges for the team amid ongoing managerial uncertainty.
