Oliver Glassner to Nottingham Forest: Former Crystal Palace boss replaces Vitor Pereira at City Ground | football news

Oliver Glassner has been appointed as the club’s new head coach by Nottingham Forest.

The Austrian replaces Vitor Pereira, who was surprisingly sacked last week despite guiding Forest to Premier League survival and the Europa League semi-finals, where they were beaten by eventual winners Aston Villa.

Glasner guided Crystal Palace to two major trophies in the last two seasons, with the Eagles winning the Europa Conference League last season following their FA Cup triumph the year before.

Previously, the 51-year-old led Eintracht Frankfurt to victory in the 2021-22 Europa League, their first major European trophy in more than four decades.

Glasner said: “I am delighted to be joining Nottingham Forest as head coach. From my first conversations with the owners and leadership team, it is clear to me that they have a clear vision for this football club and have full confidence and trust in me and my staff to build a strong future together over the long term.

“This trust and shared commitment, together with the potential I see in the squad, was key for me and I’m excited about what we can achieve together.

“Nottingham Forest is a club with incredible prestige and history, two-time European champions with one of the most passionate fan bases in football. Our aim is to build a team that can take the club to the next level in the years ahead and make our supporters proud.

“My immediate focus is meeting the players and staff and working as pre-season gets underway. I’m excited for the future and will work tirelessly to represent this proud club and bring success on the pitch. I can’t wait to get started.”

Marinakis: Glassner is a winner

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis added: “In our discussions with Oliver it is clear that we share the same vision, the same ambition and the same relentless desire to succeed. He has consistently shown throughout his career that he can build outstanding teams and deliver against strong competition.

“Our aim was to re-establish Nottingham Forest among the top clubs in England and Europe. Our ambition is not just to compete – our ambition is to win, challenge for major honors and create a football club that our supporters can be proud of for many years to come.

“Oliver is a winner. He has achieved success with his leadership, his personality and the way his team plays football. We believe he is the right person to lead us into this next chapter, and I am delighted to welcome Oliver to the club.”

Why Glasner’s move is controversial for Palace – as Forest doesn’t mention the Eagles by name

Glasner arrives at the City Ground amid previous tensions between Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace.

Both indirectly pushed for a place in last season’s Europa League, with UEFA eventually entering the second-tier competition at the expense of reigning Forest Palace.

The south London club was relegated due to previous co-owner John Textor’s controlling interest in Lyon.

The result saw Palace fans holding a graphic banner about Forest owner Marinakis during their 1-1 Premier League draw at Selhurst Park on 24 August.

Palace have been charged with misconduct by the Football Association.

Despite their relegation to the Conference League, Glasner led the club to European glory with a 1–0 final victory over Rayo Vallecano in May.

The win means the Eagles will play in the Europa League next season, while Forest will be without European football.

And perhaps tellingly, Nottingham Forest did not mention Crystal Palace in their statement announcing Glassner’s arrival.

His previous clubs Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt are mentioned, as are his achievements at Selhurst Park – but not the club directly.