Vitor Pereira has officially taken the helm as Nottingham Forest's fourth manager of the current season, stepping into a role that has seen rapid turnover at the City Ground. The Portuguese coach, who previously managed Wolves, succeeds Sean Dyche, following the departures of Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou earlier in the campaign.
A Foundation of Trust with Owner Marinakis
Pereira emphasised that his prior working relationship with club owner Evangelos Marinakis provides a crucial advantage in handling the intense pressures of the job. The pair collaborated over a decade ago at Greek side Olympiacos, where Pereira guided the team to a league and cup double, forging a bond built on mutual respect and shared ambition.
"He's ambitious. He wants to win, he's emotional and I know him very well," Pereira stated during his unveiling press conference. "The conversations were about our time in Olympiacos. I remember the energy and the fire we created."
Navigating the 'Poisoned Chalice'
The managerial position at Nottingham Forest has been described as a 'poisoned chalice' due to the club's precarious Premier League status and frequent leadership changes. Marinakis acted decisively last week, dismissing Sean Dyche after a goalless draw with Wolves, amid reports that senior players had lost faith in the former Burnley and Everton boss.
Pereira, however, views pressure as an essential component of football. "This is the pressure that means football is beautiful. We are better under pressure. I need the pressure to be at my best level," he explained. "Pressure is important in football."
Calling for Squad Unity and Belief
The new manager has issued a clear message to his players, urging them to embrace his philosophy and leadership style. "If you buy the idea, it's a good step," Pereira asserted. "If you don't buy the idea of the manager, it's a big problem. You must also buy the personality... if you buy the idea and the person, have an open mind to receive information and to work hard together, it's possible to achieve what we want."
He acknowledged the challenges faced by the squad this season, with multiple managerial changes disrupting continuity. "It's not easy, but I believe the reason why I accept this job is because I believe in the quality of the players, because I believe in the potential of this club, the ambition of the president," Pereira added.
Proven Track Record and Future Optimism
Pereira brings experience from a successful stint at Wolves, where he took over in December 2024 and steered the team to mid-table safety in the Premier League. He is confident that similar results can be achieved with Forest.
"I prefer to speak about the present and the future," he said. "Of course, I believe that it's possible to stay up. I believe that we can get points, results and quality in the games."
The manager's passion for the game was evident as he concluded, "I have fire and I have passion. Football is my passion, something that sleeps and wakes with me. I came with the intention to give everything of myself, to give my body and soul to this club to help the club and together we can do it."
