Two-time UEFA Champions League winners Nottingham Forest have made a bold statement about their future after parting ways with Vitor Pereira to appoint Oliver Glasner, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Reds have hired four new coaches over the past year, yet Super Eagles defender Ola Aina believes the club have what it takes to make it to the Champions League spots after the 2027/2027 Premier League campaign.
After sacking Nuno Espirito-Santo last September, Nottingham Forest hired Ange Postecoglou, who lasted just a month in charge after drawing two games and losing four in his spell in charge.
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Sean Dyche replaced the Greek-Australian coach in the City Ground dugout, winning 10 games, drawing 5 and losing 10. Still, the club's position at the time, amid fears of relegation, forced Marinakis' hand.
The Englishman was fired before Vitor Pereira was hired, and the former Wolves coach worked his magic. He came in to salvage Forest's campaign, leading them to the Europa League semi-final, where they fell short to Aston Villa.
Ola Aina eyes a top-four finish with Nottingham Forest under Glasner
According to Ben Jacobs, there was a clause allowing the Reds to terminate Pereira's contract by June 30, although he still had a contract until 2027.
Forest sent an email to Pereira informing him of his departure at 11.58 pm on June 30, leaving the 57-year-old very little time to respond after he already planned the club's pre-season training for Portugal, already agreeing to a pre-season tournament against Udinese and Barcelona in Udine.
🚨 Exclusive: Nottingham Forest have terminated Vítor Pereira's contract.
There was a clause allowing them to do so by 30 June. Forest sent an email to Pereira informing him of his departure at 11.58pm last night.
Pereira had already planned for pre-season in Portugal.
As… pic.twitter.com/KIzfNlD5Bd
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) July 1, 2026
Forest agreed to hire Oliver Glasner, leaving Pereira clubless. In his departure speech, the former FC Porto coach said:
“I want to say a sincere thank you to everyone connected with this incredible football club. 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,” Vitor Pereira said in quotes revealed by the BBC.
“Naturally, I am disappointed and saddened. I truly believed in what we were building together, and I leave with a sense of pride in everything we achieved over the past months.
“Together, we enjoyed a memorable end to the season. We secured the club's Premier League status, reached the semi-finals of the Europa League, and created moments that will stay with me forever.
“Most importantly, I saw a group of players grow in confidence, belief and togetherness.
“Watching them develop, fight for one another and represent this club with passion has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,” he concluded.
Ola Aina, who recently weighed in on Nottingham Forest's failure to win the UEFA Europa League, has already stated his ambitions for life under Oliver Glasner.
“We go again next season. Next season, I'm saying it here as well, we will qualify for the Champions League,” the 29-year-old said on his Youtube Channel.
“Guaranteed, we will be there, top four. If not, we will make our way somehow,” the one-time English Premier League winner concluded.
Nottingham Forest kick off their Premier League campaign with a trip to Elland Road on the 22nd of August to take on Leeds United.
