Oliver Glasner has officially been unveiled as the new head coach of Nottingham Forest, signing a three-year contract after leaving Crystal Palace. The Austrian manager expressed his desire to bring back the 'sweet honey' of European football to the City Ground, highlighting the club's potential and the ambitious vision of owner Evangelos Marinakis.
Glasner's Decision to Join Forest
Glasner revealed that a meeting with Marinakis over a seafood platter in Athens convinced him to take the role. He described the owner as 'even more ambitious than I am,' suggesting they will challenge each other to achieve success. Forest's hierarchy worked hard to secure Glasner, sacking Vítor Pereira to make way for the former Palace boss.
Targets and Transfers
Forest are pushing to sign Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall as a club-record replacement for Elliot Anderson, who was sold to Manchester City. Midfielder Xaver Schlager is also close to joining on a free transfer after leaving RB Leipzig. Glasner hopes to have at least two new signings for next week's Portugal training camp.
European Ambitions
Glasner acknowledged that success will take time, stating, 'I'm no magician.' He emphasized that building habits takes three to six months. 'These players felt the sweet honey of playing European football and this year it's just butter – no honey – on the toast. Hopefully, next year it will be sweeter,' he said. Forest reached the Europa League semi-finals last season after replacing Palace, who were expelled by Uefa.
Stability and Legacy
When asked about stability, Glasner used a marriage analogy: 'Nobody wants to get divorced... but it happens.' He stressed the need for consistency as a foundation for success. Regarding his legacy at Crystal Palace, he dismissed concerns, noting that former Palace players now play for top clubs like Bayern Munich, Arsenal, and Manchester City. 'I gave 100% every single day for Crystal Palace,' he said.
Looking Ahead
Glasner believes Forest's rich history as two-time European champions can inspire future success. 'I see a lot of potential in this club and a lot of ambition,' he said. 'After the talks, I had the feeling this is the right place.' He concluded by calling for unity among fans and staff to achieve their goals.
