Oliver Glasner aims for Premier League consistency: Nottingham 2026

Key Points

• Oliver Glasner has officially taken charge as Nottingham Forest’s new head coach on a contract running until 2029.
• The 51-year-old Austrian arrived at the Nigel Doughty Academy for pre-season, marking his first day since succeeding Vítor Pereira.
• Glasner previously enjoyed immense success with Crystal Palace, guiding them to an FA Cup, a UEFA Conference League title, and the FA Community Shield.
• Despite Forest’s historical European pedigree and their semi-final run in the UEFA Europa League last season, Glasner has made domestic Premier League consistency his primary target.
• Club owner Evangelos Marinakis has expressed his ambition for the club to challenge for major honours and re-establish Forest among the footballing elite.
• Glasner has completely rebuilt his backroom staff with five key additions, including coaches who worked alongside him at Selhurst Park and in Germany.

Crystal Palace FC (South London News) July 14, 2026 –As reported by the official media channel of Nottingham Forest FC, newly appointed head coach Oliver Glasner has expressed his profound excitement about taking the helm at the City Ground. Having visited the stadium previously as an opposition manager, the Austrian tactician noted that the vibrant home support and the historic culture of the club played pivotal roles in his decision.

The two-time European champions have been on an upward trajectory since returning to the top flight, a journey Glasner wants to stabilise and build upon.

In his first official interview at the Nigel Doughty Academy, Glasner stated:

“I thought about the project and when I had talks with the owner, it was one of the topics. Two-time European champions, it was a while ago, but history stays forever, as do the memories. This is a traditional club with a fantastic fanbase and a very ambitious owner that wants to take a step forward.”

Glasner, who has signed a long-term contract running until 2029, also pointed to the intrinsic quality of the players as a primary motivator for his move to the East Midlands. He added:

“The squad is very interesting as well, so those were the main reasons for me wanting to join Nottingham Forest.”

How does Glasner plan to achieve Premier League consistency?

While Nottingham Forest fans have tasted the excitement of a European run—culminating in a Europa League semi-final exit last season—Glasner remains grounded on the realities of the domestic league. According to reporting by sports journalists at FotMob, the head coach believes that establishing a solid, reliable standard week-in and week-out in the Premier League must take precedence over sporadic continental cup runs.

Glasner noted that while the team’s historical success and recent achievements are admirable, the immediate objective must be raising the floor of their league performances:

“The club is already on a good run since promotion a few years ago and playing in the semi-final of the Europa League. It’s important now to get some consistency and battle regularly for the top half of the league. We know how competitive the Premier League is; it’s one thing to talk about it but it’s something else to deliver, but that is what we’ll start on now.”

To implement this tactical identity, Glasner has emphasised the creation of a shared culture and standard of behaviour within the squad. In his discussion with club media, he underlined the importance of the human element:

“We’ll create a way of playing, an identity and how we want to deal with each other which I think is important for the spirit and togetherness in the club and with the fans… Now we have to find the way that is best to work together. It’s not just work for me, it’s my life.”

Who is joining Glasner’s new coaching staff at the City Ground?

The restructuring at Nottingham Forest goes beyond the manager’s office. As detailed by Sarah Clapson of the Nottingham Post, Glasner has successfully brought in five trusted members of his former coaching staff to establish a unified training methodology.

These appointments are designed to implement the physical and tactical demands of Glasner’s high-pressing, intense style of play.

The newly confirmed backroom staff consists of:

What was the reaction of owner Evangelos Marinakis to the appointment?

Evangelos Marinakis has made no secret of his grand ambitions for Nottingham Forest. According to senior sports reporters Kieran Horn and Nathan Ridley of the Mirror, the Forest owner was highly decisive in pursuing Glasner, believing the Austrian holds the precise pedigree needed to take the club to the next tier.

In an official club statement, Marinakis commented:

“In our discussions with Oliver, it was clear that we share the same vision, the same ambition and the same relentless desire to succeed. He has consistently demonstrated throughout his career that he can build outstanding teams and deliver success against the strongest competition.”

Marinakis further outlined the long-term roadmap for the club, making it clear that avoiding relegation is no longer the metric of success at the City Ground:

“It has always been our goal to establish Nottingham Forest once again among the leading clubs in England and Europe. Our ambition is not simply to compete – our ambition is to win, to challenge for major honours and to create a football club that our supporters can be proud of for many years to come.”

Background of the particular development

The managerial seat at the City Ground has been highly volatile over the past twelve months. Oliver Glasner’s arrival marks Nottingham Forest’s fifth managerial change in the space of a year—a statistic that underscores the relentless pressure and high expectations exerted by the club’s ownership.

The position became vacant following the sudden, highly publicised departure of Portuguese manager Vítor Pereira. Pereira had successfully guided Forest to safety during the 2025–26 season, securing a 16th-place finish and leading the club to the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League.

However, as reported by Patrick Austen-Hardy of the Mirror, relations cooled rapidly, culminating in Pereira being relieved of his duties via email just minutes before a specific contract extension clause was set to expire.

Glasner’s appointment comes at a time when he was one of the most sought-after managers in English football.

During his tenure at Selhurst Park with Crystal Palace, he oversaw a highly successful period, winning the FA Cup in the 2024–25 season, the subsequent FA Community Shield, and the UEFA Conference League in 2025–26.

Having announced his intention to leave Palace at the end of his contract, Glasner’s transition to Nottingham Forest represents a significant coup for Marinakis, who acted swiftly to secure the Austrian’s signature.

Prediction: How this development will affect Nottingham Forest supporters and players

For the Nottingham Forest supporters, Glasner’s arrival should signal a transition from chaotic survival battles to structured, long-term progression. His public insistence on “consistency” suggests that fans can expect a more predictable, tactically disciplined side.

While the thrill of European cup nights is a cherished part of the club’s identity, establishing Forest as a consistent top-half Premier League team will safeguard the club’s financial health and stature, preventing the constant dread of relegation dogfights.

For the squad and individual players, the impact will be felt immediately on the training pitch. Glasner is renowned for his demanding physical regimens, requiring peak athletic conditioning to execute his signature high-intensity, transitional style of play.

Players who adapt quickly to these rigorous tactical and physical demands—such as those monitored by performance coach Michael Berktold—are likely to thrive, whilst those who struggle with high-tempo pressing may find themselves sidelined during Glasner’s initial squad assessments. Ultimately, this appointment is expected to raise individual player values and foster a highly competitive, professional dressing-room environment.