Nottingham Forest appoint Vitor Pereira as new head coach
Nottingham Forest have confirmed Vitor Pereira as their new head coach, signing the Portuguese on an 18-month contract, reports BritPanorama.
The 57-year-old becomes the club’s fourth permanent manager this campaign, following Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou, and Sean Dyche through the City Ground exit door. No other club in history has had four different permanent managers in one season in the Premier League.
Dyche departed on Thursday after just 114 days at the helm, dismissed hours after a frustrating goalless draw against bottom-placed Wolves. During his brief tenure, the former Everton manager secured six victories from 18 league fixtures.
Pereira was swiftly secured by the club, who had identified him as the preferred candidate to steady the ship at the struggling Midlands side. They currently occupy 17th position in the Premier League table, sitting just three points clear of the relegation zone. The club’s form has been concerning, with only two victories recorded from their previous ten matches.
Despite a difficult end to his time at Wolves, Pereira had previously guided the club to Premier League survival after inheriting a side rooted in the relegation zone. His connection to Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis proved crucial in securing the appointment, having previously worked together at Olympiacos in 2015, where Pereira claimed both the Greek title and cup.
With only twelve fixtures remaining this campaign, Pereira faces the immediate challenge of arresting the slide and guiding Forest to safety. The club has managed just three wins from their last thirteen outings across all competitions, highlighting the scale of the task ahead. His first assignment comes on Thursday, when Forest travel to face Fenerbahce in the Europa League knockout round play-off, followed by a daunting Premier League encounter against sixth-placed Liverpool at the City Ground.
Pereira arrives with a full backroom team, including assistant coaches Filipe Jorge Monteiro Almeida and Luis Miguel Moreira Da Silva, along with other support staff dedicated to enhancing the club’s performance.
As Forest navigates this tumultuous period, the appointment of Pereira marks yet another chapter in the club’s fluctuating journey. His previous management experience across various countries provides a backdrop of hope, yet it is the immediate performance that will ultimately dictate the trajectory of Nottingham Forest in the coming months.
